A place to rest

At the end of a long day, putting on your comfiest pajamas and sinking your head into a soft pillow is like taking the weight of the world off of your shoulders. We often take for granted that there will be a comfortable sofa, chair, or bed at home where we can let go of the cares of the day.

But for many in our community, there is no bed. Sometimes there is not even a table at which to share a meal, or a soft chair to sit in while reading a book to a child. For over 20 years, ECHO Furniture Bank has collected gently used donated furniture so those without can have these most basic of comforts.

The founder of ECHO Furniture Bank, Jon Hinkle, shared the story of Grace*, a grandmother juggling working and raising her grandson. “She was anxious because she needed an operation on her back so she could continue working, but the post-op instructions included several weeks of bed rest,” explains Jon. “But, she had no bed.”

There are various reasons why our clients need furniture. One person may be fleeing domestic abuse, another may have lost everything in the destructive forces of a hurricane or tornado, and many are transitioning out of homelessness but have no funds left to purchase furniture after paying first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, and turning on utilities.

Others are like Grace, sleeping on a sofa because whatever extra money she earned went toward furnishing her grandson's room.

ECHO Furniture Bank steps in and literally fills the void by redistributing beds, dressers, sofas and dining tables that have been generously donated by individuals and businesses. Because of these donations, we can convert an empty apartment into a comfortable home in about an hour! ECHO accomplishes all of this with a staff of three employees, manager Stephen Blakemore, Daniel Spitler, Hunter Brauch and several loyal volunteers.

Once Grace contacted us, she had a bed by the weekend. Her operation was successful, and within a month she was back at work. She and her grandson are just one example of the 150 to 175 family units served by the Furniture Bank each year, and we are so thankful to be able to help them.

When you sink your head into your pillow and pull your blankets up around you tonight, think of Grace and others like her, and how you can help. Furniture can be a priceless gift from someone who no longer needs it to someone who desperately does!

*Grace's name has been changed