Group collects furniture for less fortunate
With churches and nonprofits in Anderson and surrounding counties needing furniture for the less-fortunate, one group in Oak Ridge has stepped up.
The Ecumenical Storehouse rents a warehouse in Oak Ridge at 134 East Division Road, but it serves Roane, Morgan, Campbell and Scott counties. Its president, Peggy Terpstra, said all of its workers are volunteers.
“Our volunteers get to know and care about one another pretty well,” she said. “Being around other people who enjoy helping others is its own kind of reward. It’s inspirational. No matter what our individual faith traditions, we know we are all following the same desire to help our neighbors.”
Eleven member churches provide many of the volunteers, but Terpstra said not everyone who volunteers is from one of these churches.
Nonprofits such as Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, United Way, and local churches refer clients to the storehouse, which figures out by phone what kinds of items they need.
Items include furniture; appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves; housewares, such as linens, pillows tableware and flatware; and what Terpstra called “bonus room items,” such as cookware, small appliances, rugs, shower curtains and more.
Terpstra said finding bedding is the biggest challenge.
She said the storehouse distributes good-quality used mattresses, box springs, and bed frames.
“Twin beds for children are in particular demand, but so are full beds and queen beds,” she said.
“We need people to donate beds, especially twins. We have limited funds, which we occasionally use to purchase bedding, but we can’t purchase much with our available funds.”
She also said finding physically able volunteers to move furniture and scheduling clients poses challenges.
“Our biggest reward is knowing that we are serving needy neighbors in our community, she said. “So many folks have to make tough decisions on where to spend their limited financial resources. We know we are helping them get needed furniture, appliances, and housewares of good quality, for free. This kind of service is a joy.”
The best way to reach the Ecumenical Storehouse for donating or volunteering is by calling 865-481-0274.
Find out more by going to the website at thestorehouseinc.org/.
