As a charitable organization with the mission of “Making Empty Houses Homes,” Houston Furniture Bank is very proud of the way our team has quickly adapted to the current situation created by the coronavirus. We continue to offer Furniture Assistance to the community and have worked as a team to implement sweeping changes that are keeping both us and the community safe.
FAMILIES IN NEED
With families confined to their homes during the current situation, essential furniture has never been more important. Houston Furniture Bank continues to provide services to families and individuals affected by hardships such as domestic violence, poverty, and disasters. Just this week, we were able to connect a young mother who works as a nurse’s assistant with the furniture her family needs. The family is rebuilding after facing domestic violence and homelessness and, this week, they were finally able to move into their own apartment. Their furniture came from Houston Furniture Bank and included two new bed sets for her two young boys provided through Houston Furniture Bank’s “No Kids on the Floor” initiative. How have these beds helped this family during coronavirus? “It would have been way more stressful. This is one less thing I have to worry about,” she told us. We are grateful for her service and for that of our team. We are glad that a healthcare worker who is doing her part for the community despite personal hardships is able to get the rest she needs in order to stay healthy.
Harris County’s “Stay, Home, Work Safe” Order highlights those services that are essential to our community. As both a “provider of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations” and a retailer of furniture, Houston Furniture Bank continues to operate but with a number of important changes.
SAFE FURNITURE ASSISTANCE
Houston Furniture Bank continues to collaborate with our Furniture Distribution Partners to provide furniture assistance to the community. We are limiting the number of visitors to the Furniture Distribution Center, offering remote appointments, observing social distancing at all times and ensuring that furniture is safe for families. We are working together with our partners to provide this essential service safely.
SAFE FURNITURE DONATION
Houston Furniture Bank continues to be in need of your gently-used furniture. Your donations make a meaningful impact in the lives of the families we serve. In order to receive your donations safely, we are implementing the following changes. We thank you for your cooperation and continued support!
- Furniture donations must be placed outside of your home on the day of pick-up.
- Furniture donations are immediately treated with industrial-strength disinfectant.
- Our team uses gloves when handling donations.
- Our trucks are sanitized regularly.
- Furniture is warehoused for three or more days before being connected with a family.
SAFE DELIVERY
In order to keep our team and the community safe, furniture deliveries are being made into the front room only. A health screening is performed by phone prior to the delivery. If anyone in the home has any symptoms consistent with coronavirus, delivery will be deferred for 14 days or our team can deliver the furniture outside the home only. We are adhering to CDC social distancing guidelines, maintaining 6 feet of distance between individuals. We ask that those receiving deliveries remain in a separate room while our team is at work and thank you for your help in keeping our community safe!
SAFE FURNITURE OUTLET
Not only is the Furniture Outlet at Houston Furniture Bank an important source of funding for the work of “Making Empty Houses Homes,” it also provides needed items to the community and creates jobs for our staff. Harris County and the City of Houston have indicated that essential retail businesses include “grocery, warehouse, furniture, big box, liquor, convenience, hardware, auto supply, auto, and bike repair stores.” The Furniture Outlet remains open, with strict adherence to safety guidelines. Remember that 100% of your purchase goes to support our charitable mission of Making Empty Houses Homes.
SAFE MATTRESS RECYCLING
Houston Furniture Bank continues to recycle mattresses at our facility. In 2019, we recycled over 27,000 mattresses. You can continue to drop off your mattress at Houston Furniture Bank’s location at 8220 Mosley Rd. We will unload it for you and keep you safe through social distancing.
SAFETY AT 8220 MOSLEY RD
- Visitors are asked to complete a health screening and wash their hands upon entry.
- Social distancing is diligently observed in all areas.
- Signage is posted throughout the building about proper hand-washing and social distancing practices, etc.
- Hand sanitizer has been made available throughout the building.
- Staff wear gloves when handling furniture.
- Furniture and trucks are sterilized with industrial-strength sanitizer.
- Staff is asked to stay at home when ill.
- Staff that can work remotely is doing so.
- Our buildings and trucks are sanitized throughout the day.
- Volunteer activity and events remain suspended until further notice.
LOOK FOR UPDATES!
Houston Furniture Bank is working with the community on some innovative ways to support efforts to combat the coronavirus. Stay tuned for updates!
