Need furniture? Got some you no longer use?

Dozens of agencies work with the homeless, domestic violence victims and low-income population providing temporary housing and recovery programs, but when their clients complete the programs they may have new housing and a new focus for their life, but they often have no furniture. NW Furniture Bank meets these needs by providing furniture to those transitioning into their own homes. Furniture is also available for foster children who age-out of the program, and for people who lose all of their possessions in natural disasters such as fire or flood.

The NW Furniture Bank strives to give their clients a bed to sleep on, a sofa to sit on, and a table to eat from. Hundreds of volunteers are using their time, talents and donated furniture to restore hope, dignity and stability to families that are working hard to rebuild their lives.

NW Furniture Bank helps restore hope, dignity and stability in our community by recycling donated furniture to people in need. Willing furniture store partners and local donations provide a steady source of furniture which would otherwise end up in the dump or sold at a loss. We serve victims of domestic abuse, people suffering loss from fire and natural disasters, foster children and especially families coming from transitional housing who are trying to rebuild their lives.

How we started

The idea came to our founder, Bill Lemke while working at the San Francisco Food Bank in 2005 with a youth group from Harbor Covenant Church. The food bank brought in food from retailers, manufacturers and the public and gave it to agencies in the Bay area. That is when the idea hit; what they do with food could be, and should be done with furniture. Being in the furniture business for 30 years he saw it as win win business model for the public and furniture stores and manufacturers. Damaged, and out of style furniture tying up valuable inventory dollars and or floor space could be donated; the dealer could take the tax deduction and get furniture that retails.

Bill had every intention of leaving the idea in San Francisco and continue to build his manufactures rep business in the Northwest. He had two problems however, one was the fact that the idea would never leave him and the second was his son who would never let him forget it. The furniture bank was one of those 3 in the morning ideas that keeps you awake but Bill kept trying to ignore it.

Tragically in November of 2005 Bill’s son who inspired him to do “something of significance” passed away from Lymphoma on Thanksgiving day. Bill and Joelene were faced with “what now!” In a instant life’s passions and goals were turned upside down. Bill was still trying to ignore the idea of a furniture bank until in 2006 a vacation to Orlando allowed him to see his vision. Bill and Joelene visited The Mustard Seed which is a 15,000 square foot furniture bank! The director of the Mustard Seed said, “if you two don’t do this you will be two of the most miserable people on earth.”

Bill and Joelene were convicted to at least see if a furniture bank was feasible in Pierce county. The Old Cannery furniture store provided 1200 square feet of donated space and gave the Lemke’s the money that was raised for their sons medical expenses. The first delivery was made with a borrowed truck and mattresses that were purchased. That was in 2006 and in 2007 NW Furniture Bank became a 501c3.

Today, hundreds of volunteers, and community donors make it possible to serve almost 100 families monthly with a household of furniture!

How we help

NW Furniture Bank is the source of furniture for agencies in Pierce County and South King. NWFB collects and warehouses furniture for qualified member agencies. As families move through the programs and transitional housing that helps them get back on their feet, they leave with little or nothing. Many can barely afford housing and food, let alone a bed to sleep on or a table to sit at. Furniture is a basic need that determines how people feel about themselves and also how well they will perform in the work place or at school.

Referred clients fill out a furniture request form and are given a appointment and then matched with a volunteer shopper who helps them shop for a household of furniture. The client pays $75 processing fee so they have ownership and a sense of dignity from getting the new furniture.

Who We Help

NW Furniture Bank provides gently used furniture and household items to families at or below the poverty level struggling with fire, flood, job loss, domestic violence relocation, foster child aging out, or someone moving from transitional housing. If you are sleeping, eating or living on the floor we want to help provide the items you cannot afford to purchase. We do not replace or upgrade furniture you may already have.

All our furniture is gently used and the inventory changes daily. Each household accessing our services is subject to a $75 processing fee payable at the time of your furniture selection. We ask that you be able to transport the furniture you’ve selected in one trip, at the time of your appointment or utilize our deliver service for an addition fee of $125.

Spring Back Mattress Recycling NW

Accepting mattresses and box springs today!

Drop Off Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Spring Back Mattress Recycling NW is a division of the NW Furniture Bank.

Over 30 million mattresses are sent to landfills across the country each year!

90% of a mattress can be recycled.

It is the right thing to do

Spring Back Mattress Recycling NW was created with three purposes in mind:

1. To create employment opportunities

2. To divert mattress waste from the landfills

3. To provide re-purposed mattresses and a revenue stream to NW Furniture Bank

We are dedicated to growing this venture as the preferred method of mattress disposal in the Puget Sound.

Spring Back accepts cash credit or debit.

Please note the recycling fees listed below.

Quick Q & A –

Recycle? Really? Yes, 90% of a mattress is composed of recyclable materials. The more we can recycle, the more we can divert from landfills.

Can we drop off our mattress? Yes, for a fee we will process your mattress to ensure that it does not end up in a landfill. The items can be in any condition but MUST be dry.

Will you pick up our used mattress? Yes, if you live within 15 miles, we will pick up your mattress set for a fee.

How much does it cost? $25 per piece for in home pick up. $15 per piece if it is brought to the furniture bank. A king which is 3 pieces is only charged for 2 pieces.

What if the mattress is stained or ripped? We can still recycle it, but it must be dry.

We are located behind the NW Furniture Bank at 2301 Dock Street, Tacoma WA 98421.

June 5, 2018 Tuesday, 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Join us for the 9th Annual Chair Affair benefiting the mission of NW Furniture Bank. A can’t miss event, beloved by the community for an incredible cause.

Admire the sweeping water views and wood work in the unique setting of Foss Waterway Seaport. Guests will also enjoy a sit down dinner catered by Snuffin’s Catering followed by a spirited live auction featuring an incredible assortment of packages.

This unique event features amazing one-of-a-kind chairs created by local artists in addition to a variety of auction packages during the silent auction. This year’s chairs are currently being created.

NW Furniture Bank

117 Puyallup Ave

Tacoma, WA 98421

Email: info@nwfurniturebank.org

Phone: 253-302-3868

How to Access Our Services

NW Furniture Bank works on a referral basis only. A family must have a Furniture Request Form, what we call a “referral,” submitted through one of our community partners in order to access our services. We have over 200 community partners consisting of a variety of organizations/programs such as churches, school programs, social service agencies, etc. To access our services, contact one of our community partners and request to complete a Furniture Request Form.

Ask your caseworker if they are a NW Furniture Bank referral source – if not, you can contact one of the referral sources below. For additional questions please contact us at info@nwfurniturebank.org.

Below are a few of our community partners that may be able to assist you with a Furniture Request Form.

Tacoma Housing Authority

Tacoma Rescue Mission

Catholic Community Service

St. Vincent de Paul

Associated Ministries, Tacoma, 253-383-3056 x128

Centro Latino,Tacoma, 253-572-7717

Chapel Hill Titus Ministry, Gig Harbor, 253-853-0224

Chase Recovery, Tacoma, 253-302-4373

Christ Gospel Church of Tacoma, Lakewood, 253-224-5696

House of Prayer Foundation, Tacoma, 253-227-4885

MDC – Metropolitan Development Council, Tacoma, 253-536-6200