 |
Scobel Wiggins | Gazette-Times
Kevin Peters, Blackledge delivery and service manager, and Michelle Maddux, executive director of Benton Furniture Share, are on hand to watch the first unloading of the truck donated by Blackledge Furniture to deliver furniture to those in need. |
Former Blackledge delivery van will now bring comforts of home to needy
By THERESA HOGUE
Gazette-Times reporter
Sometimes a simple gift can make a world of difference.
For Michelle Maddux, executive director of Benton Furniture Share, all it took was the donation of an aging delivery truck to dramatically expand her organization’s ability to serve the community.
Benton Furniture Share distributes free, gently used furniture to families in need around the county. This month, it is celebrating 10 years of operation. Furniture Share depends on donations, volunteer hours and referrals from public agencies to run the organization, and for the last decade has used small trucks, mainly those owned by volunteers, to deliver furniture to clients.
But last month, Blackledge Furniture donated an older moving truck to the organization after it bought a new delivery truck. Blackledge delivery and service manager Kevin Peters often finds himself at Benton Furniture Share, because the furniture store offers customers the opportunity to donate their used furniture to the organization when they get a new piece delivered. Blackledge picks up the used furniture and delivers it twice a week to Benton Furniture Share.
“We give them a donation slip and then we do all the leg work,” Peters said.
The donated delivery truck makes a huge difference in the organization’s ability to serve clients.
“Now we can serve four families versus one” during a single trip, Maddux said. Volunteers can load up the truck with enough furniture for multiple families and make one run around the county, dropping off and picking up as they go, and making operations much more efficient.
That is especially crucial as the demand for services, and the amount of donations, has been increasing dramatically over the last year. In January 2008, Benton Furniture Share served 77 families, up from 34 a year earlier. Last fiscal year, 1,131 individuals were served, and this fiscal year, the organization has already served 980, with three months to go.
“It’s the working poor, families that work at minimum wage or slightly above,” Maddux said. “They can afford rent and food but basic furniture items are unaffordable.”
Because of increased demand, the organization has expanded its hours of operation to Monday through Thursday. The current four-week wait list could be reduced to one week now that the delivery truck is available.
Board member Kathleen Hutchinson said the most satisfying part of being involved with Benton Furniture Share is the reaction of clients when they receive furniture.
“They’re always so grateful and very excited, especially when kids get a bed,” she said. Often, kids have become accustomed to sleeping on a mattress on the floor, so having a real bed makes a huge difference.
Board president Ray William said many of the organization’s clients are living on the edge, and having donated furniture can make a large difference in their lives.
“They’re dying for a place to stay to re-establish themselves. They can get their life back together again,” he said.
Maddux said there is a high demand for beds, dressers and dining room tables right now. Anyone interested in donating good-quality items can do so Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 155 S.E. Lilly Ave. Those wishing to receive free furniture must be referred by a social service agency or case worker.
|
|
You must be logged
in to comment.
It's free and quick!
|
|
|
 |
RSS 
GT Reader Comments