From Shelter to Stability
CARITAS Furniture Bank Receives 350 Rooms of Furniture
January 6, 2011
Two local trucking companies Estes Express Lines and UPS Freight joined together to bring 178,550 pounds of furniture, donated to CARITAS by a local military facility. “CARITAS and Estes share the belief that family, faith and courage are at the heart of what builds a strong community,” said Webb Estes, Coordinator of Line Planning of Estes Express Lines. CARITAS Furniture Bank partners with area homeless shelters, the Red Cross, and the homeless services program at McGuire VA Medical Center and others. By receiving the furniture, those exiting homeless shelters or recovering from natural disasters are more stable as they transition into permanent housing. Eighteen percent of adults experiencing homelessness in our region are veterans.
Estes Express Lines and UPS Freight provided ten 53’ trailers to pick up the furniture and deliver it at no cost to CARITAS Furniture Bank located at 1125 East Commerce Road, Richmond. Participants from The Healing Place of Richmond, a nonprofit long term residential recovery program, assisted with unloading the trucks as well as CARITAS Furniture Bank staff, AmeriCorps members and volunteers. The retail value of the furniture is $231,500. “Not only is this a true representation of the spirit of giving and collaboration, it shows the human spirit at its finest,” said Karen Stanley. Executive Director of CARITAS and The Healing Place, "CARITAS offers a great opportunity to assist those in need and we are gratified to participate in these efforts." said Phil Warren, VP of Community Relations-UPS Freight.
The Furniture Bank serves 15 families and individuals each week and increases the likelihood that people exiting homeless shelters or recovering from natural disasters will be more stable. Thanks to all who generously gave the furniture, the action needed move the process forward and the wonderful collaboration needed for this event to be so successful. To learn more, watch the video.
http://www.wtvr.com/videobeta/af717461-25b1-434f-9258-d7be994096e9/News/Caritas-Furniture-Donation