GIG HARBOR, WA (May 28, 2009) – Bill and Joelene Lemke wanted their “furniture bank” ministry to start slowly and gradually build. It hasn’t worked that way.
The Lemkes, who are members of Harbor Covenant Church, started Northwest Furniture Bank in November 2007 as a way of supplying furniture to those in need, much like food banks that provide food.
The clientele includes, among others, women victims of domestic violence and people transitioning from drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.
The numbers help tell the story of the furniture bank’s success:
• 18 – Number of months since the bank started
• 2 – Number of times the bank has moved since opening
• 10,000 – Square footage of the current warehouse space
• 575 – Number of families served to date
• 60 – Number of social service agencies that refer clients to the furniture bank
• 8,000 – Pieces of furniture given away
• $500,000 – Value of the furniture given away
• 300-plus – Number of volunteers involved in the program
• 6,000-plus – Number of volunteer hours donated to date
However, it is the interaction with those served that tells the real story, like the mother of three who had been a victim of domestic abuse and needed help for her family who had been living in a shelter. When she was able to get a new dresser from the furniture bank, she ran her hands across the top, admiring the piece, and told Joelene how beautiful it was. Joelene agreed.
The woman continued, still moving her hands across the dresser, explaining, “You don’t understand. This is so beautiful. I’ve never had new furniture before. The only furniture I’ve had is what I’ve picked up off the side of the road.”
The idea started with a mission trip to San Francisco in July 2005 that included Bill, his son, Brian, and other members of Gig Harbor Covenant Church. While the team was volunteering at a food bank, the two began to wonder why the same could not be done with furniture.
Brian was excited about the idea and urged Bill to start the ministry. Bill had been a furniture representative for roughly 30 years, and he had plenty of contacts.
But doctors diagnosed Brian, 17, with lymphoma that October. He died four weeks later on Thanksgiving Day.
The furniture bank idea was shelved as the Lemkes mourned the loss of their only child. Joelene quit her bookkeeping job. “I really took time to examine my priorities in life,” she says. She also began to pray that God would reveal the purpose for her life.
When Brian was first diagnosed, one of Bill’s clients, the Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse, donated $30,000 to help cover medical expenses. After Brian died, the Lemkes tried to return the money to the business.
Old Cannery didn’t want the money back. They encouraged the couple to use the donation to start the furniture bank they knew had been a dream of the Lemkes.
The couple decided that God would have to make clear to them that they were supposed to begin. The Lemkes thought, “If God wants us to do this, he’ll open doors for us.”
God made it clear. Three times in a single day.
Bill was in Las Vegas for a trade event when he received a telephone call from KMPS Radio, a Seattle area station, advising him that Northwest Furniture Bank had been selected as the station’s Charity of the Month. A second call came from a friend at the Old Cannery who explained that the company would donate warehouse space. A third friend called to advise Bill that the ministry would qualify for a special grant and that he should apply.
“God wasn’t whispering to us – he was screaming in our ears!” Joelene recalls. Since then, the Lemkes have been opening their doors for others.
Joelene admits she was disappointed – and excited at the same time – to learn that furniture banks exist across the country and have their own association. “We thought it was an original idea,” she says, laughing.
The Lemkes have received advice and encouragement from the association. According to the Northwest Furniture Bank website, National Furniture Bank Association affiliates have provided more than 50,000 beds, 25,000 sofas, and more than 75,000 chairs. In the past 10 years, furniture banks have served an estimated 92,000 families, representing 324,000 children and parents. The estimated value of donated furniture exceeds $68 million.
Almost before the ministry could get started, news reports shared how the furniture bank had helped flood victims by delivering three truckloads of free furniture to organizations providing relief. The Tacoma News-Tribune printed a feature story on the ministry. The news report struck a responsive chord.
A stranger called to see if they wanted to use his delivery truck when he didn’t need it. Shortly afterwards, another person bought a 2008 model truck for them.
The furniture comes from various places. Joelene says people would be shocked to know how much good furniture winds up in landfills. The 8,000 pieces the ministry has given away would fill 64 railroad cars, she adds.
Retailer IKEA is a major contributor – the store has a distribution warehouse in the area. IKEA won’t sell any products that come in packages that have been damaged, donating them instead to the Furniture Bank.
“It’s like Christmas,” Joelene says. “We have no idea what we will be getting.” She adds that 98 percent of the furniture has no damage.
After each pickup, the furniture bank holds an assembly party to put together the donated items. One time, 40 students from Harbor Covenant church participated. The top photo shows a group of volunteers – Bill is standing at left with Joelene seated in front of him at left. Click here to see additional photos.
Individuals as well as several other large stores donate items. The furniture bank will stock only new or “gently used” furniture, Joelene says. The ministry also has numerous accessories such as pictures and plants.
Volunteers are willing to help clients pick furniture. “We want it to be a good experience for the clients.”
Joelene now works full-time with the ministry. She draws a small stipend as does one manager. Everyone else is a volunteer.
The furniture bank works only with social service agencies, which screen the clients. The ministry is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays by appointment only.
Clients can use the bank once and must pay a $50 processing fee. “We don’t want this to be a handout,” says Joelene. “The fee gives them a sense of ownership.” She emphasizes that the furniture is not given to replace what clients already have, but to provide what they don’t.
Lemke is passionate that people get what they need. “I don’t want anyone to be sleeping, eating or sitting on the floor,” she says. “We will guarantee everyone a bed.”
The clients express deep gratitude for the service. “I’ve had so many people cry on my shoulder and then give me big smiles,” says Joelene. “We are so richly rewarded by our interaction with the people who come into the furniture bank. I think this is the reason we have so many volunteers.”
One of the people who is grateful is Keith Hamilton, president of Alaska Christian College. The furniture bank is donating bookshelves, desks, chairs, and file cabinets to the school. A donor is paying for the items to be delivered.
Since first moving into the warehouse, the Lemkes have had to move twice. Joelene is thrilled with the success, but admits with a mixture of humor and seriousness, “I really don’t want to move again.”
