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From Left-Overs
to Abundance
By Jerry Miller, Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church
Three years ago, a couple in West Rockingham County opened a public storage facility named “Need More Storage”. The business grew rapidly and there were large numbers of customers using the facility to store furniture, especially during times of transition to other communities where they were going to live. Once these families relocated and found new dwellings, they would return to the business to pick up their stored furniture. Many of them discovered they had no room or need for much of the furniture they had in storage. Many purchased new furniture for their new homes and did not allow space for the furniture they stored. The end result was a great deal of furniture looking for a new home since many of the clients simply wanted to give the furniture away and not be bothered with selling or disposing of the furniture.
“Need More Storage” saw the opportunity to do some good within the local community with the furniture that was left behind. The owners began collecting more furniture from donors and giving the furniture to local families in need. In a short time, this grew into a large project and the owners decided to reserve 25% of their facility to warehouse the donated furnishings. As word spread of this project and how it was assisting families in need, the owners determined it was time to organize into a non-profit organization. They discovered another mission group doing something similar to them in High Point, NC and contacted this group named “Home to Home”. An initial appointment was made to visit “Home to Home”. A local minister along with three other interested volunteers traveled to High Point. After much discussion and sharing, it was determined that the folks from the “Need More Storage” project would join as a branch of the “Home to Home” organization.
During the process of it’s initial start up, and to date, the new Harrisonburg “Home to Home” has collected all kinds of household furniture which has been delivered to local families in need. In addition, refrigerators, freezers and other appliances have been purchased with donated funds. Food and clothing and children’s toys are also being delivered through the ministry.
By Jerry Miller, Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church
Three years ago, a couple in West Rockingham County opened a public storage facility named “Need More Storage”. The business grew rapidly and there were large numbers of customers using the facility to store furniture, especially during times of transition to other communities where they were going to live. Once these families relocated and found new dwellings, they would return to the business to pick up their stored furniture. Many of them discovered they had no room or need for much of the furniture they had in storage. Many purchased new furniture for their new homes and did not allow space for the furniture they stored. The end result was a great deal of furniture looking for a new home since many of the clients simply wanted to give the furniture away and not be bothered with selling or disposing of the furniture.
“Need More Storage” saw the opportunity to do some good within the local community with the furniture that was left behind. The owners began collecting more furniture from donors and giving the furniture to local families in need. In a short time, this grew into a large project and the owners decided to reserve 25% of their facility to warehouse the donated furnishings. As word spread of this project and how it was assisting families in need, the owners determined it was time to organize into a non-profit organization. They discovered another mission group doing something similar to them in High Point, NC and contacted this group named “Home to Home”. An initial appointment was made to visit “Home to Home”. A local minister along with three other interested volunteers traveled to High Point. After much discussion and sharing, it was determined that the folks from the “Need More Storage” project would join as a branch of the “Home to Home” organization.
During the process of it’s initial start up, and to date, the new Harrisonburg “Home to Home” has collected all kinds of household furniture which has been delivered to local families in need. In addition, refrigerators, freezers and other appliances have been purchased with donated funds. Food and clothing and children’s toys are also being delivered through the ministry.
From some “left-over” unwanted furniture grew a ministry for the needy. God has blessed “Home to Home” in being able to help others who are in great need, and the ministry looks forward to growing support from other churches and organizations who would like to help build this mission to the community.
Like to Build Houses for Others?
The Fuller Center for Housing is raising money and moblizing work teams to build houses for earthquake victims in Haiti. Established by Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller, The Fuller Center for Housing is a non-profit organization seeking to eradicate poverty housing by promoting partnerships with individuals and community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need.
Find out how you can help sponsor a home, or join a team to go build a home for someone needing one in Haiti. Visit their website at www.FullerCenter.org/Haiti.