Furniture Bank

Year of inception: 1998
Brand name:
Address: 25 Connell Court, Etobicoke, ON, Canada
Postal code: M8Z 1E8
Business category: Logistics

Primary Contact Details
Name: Dan Kershaw
Email: dan.kershaw@furniturebank.org
Phone: 9058068246
Website: https://www.furniturebank.org
Identifier: SE

Company Description​

Furniture Bank is a registered charity and social enterprise that has been helping people in the Greater Toronto Area establish their homes since 1998.  It transfers gently used furniture and household goods donated by the community to people who are in need of a fresh start.  The organization’s fleet of trucks is on the road five days a week throughout the year, picking up donated furniture and delivering items to the new homes of formerly displaced individuals. 

Collaborating with community social agencies, we collect society’s unwanted home furnishings to solve the crippling issue caused by ‘affordable housing’ creating true homes for all families in extreme need while saving our communities shrinking landfills and environmental benefits. 

Every weekday we welcome 20 families who have secured ‘affordable housing’ and we provide them with the opportunity to handpick donated items to create ‘homes’ from this housing.  Items selected by the clients are then delivered directly to their homes the next day to these families.

This coordination of collecting quality furniture donations and passing them on to families in 72 hours has a number of activities integrated into the charity:

• Furniture Collection Social Enterprise - Fee for Service furniture removal business

• Furniture Bank Support Service - Fee based back office support for other organizations. 

• Furniture Repair Workshop - to fix donated items needing minor repairs

• Furniture Showroom - where clients build their homes with our volunteers

• Furniture Delivery - Furniture Bank delivery of donated furniture to housing the next day

 

Community & Social Impact

At Furniture Bank, we believe that everyone deserves the comfort and dignity of a furnished home. However, we recognize that furniture poverty is a challenge faced by many individuals and families across Canada. That's why we're on a national mission to end furniture poverty, and we're doing it in a way that's both socially and environmentally responsible.

As a supporter of Furniture Bank, you're part of an innovative approach to creating positive change. Our impact measurement approach, which aligns with the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework and the Common Approach to Impact Measurement, allows us to quantify the value we create in the lives of those we serve. By providing gently used furniture to families in need, we're not only improving their quality of life but also reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

What sets Furniture Bank apart is our commitment to transparency and accountability. Our impact measurement practices ensure that every donation makes a meaningful difference, and we're proud to share that for every dollar invested, we generate significant social, environmental, and economic value. This approach allows us to be effective stewards of your generosity and to maximize the impact of your support.

Furniture Donations: Building Comfort and Hope

Through the generosity of our donors, we have been able to collect and redistribute a significant volume of furniture to those in need. Over the past three years, we have received donations from 14,455 households, amounting to a total of 141,688 furniture items. These donations have been instrumental in our efforts to furnish homes and provide comfort to families.

Delivering Impact: Supporting Families in Need

Our work is centred around delivering essential furniture to families in need. In the past three years, we have successfully delivered furniture to 2,269 beneficiary households, positively impacting the lives of 15,043 individuals, including mothers, fathers, and children. These deliveries have transformed empty spaces into nurturing homes, providing stability and security to families.

Environmental Stewardship: Diverting Furniture from Landfills

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our efforts to divert furniture from landfills. Over the past three years, we have diverted a remarkable 65,865 cubic metres (m3) of furniture from landfills, abating 14,365.77 metric tonnes of carbon. This achievement underscores our dedication to responsible consumption and environmental protection.

Responding to Needs: Appointment Requests and Beneficiary Households

We have received a total of 9,876 appointment requests for assistance over the past three years, highlighting the pressing need for our services. While we have been able to assist 7,149 beneficiary households, we remain dedicated to expanding our reach and meeting the needs of more families in the future.

In summary, Furniture Bank's impact metrics from the past three years reflect our unwavering commitment to ending furniture poverty, supporting families in need, and promoting environmental sustainability. We extend our deepest gratitude to our donors, partners, and supporters for their invaluable contributions to our mission. Together, we will continue to create lasting and meaningful impact in our community and beyond.