Why You Should Volunteer at the Philadelphia Furniture Bank
The Philadelphia Furniture Bank (PFB) is a primary resource hub of home furnishings for social service agencies in Philadelphia. Established in 2014, we aim to help individuals and families move in and recover quicker. PFB typically furnishes more than 1,000 homes yearly for individuals and families exiting homelessness or other situations. Our member agencies’ clients visit our showroom daily to select furniture for their new homes.
At PFB, we know home means more than four walls, a few windows, and a door. Home is a first step towards stability for many, and if we can ease that transition and help individuals and families feel more comfortable, quicker, we’ve done our job. Though we wouldn’t be able to do this work without several key players: Member agencies, who consistently refer families in need to us. Our dedicated staff, who ensures our clients are taken care of from scheduling an appointment to selecting furniture through delivery. Our donors, who support PFB with furniture donations and financial support. And our volunteers, who perform a variety of tasks to assist operations.
We've been lucky to depend on volunteers since our founding. On any given day at the Furniture Bank, volunteers could help our clients shop for furniture, organize furniture donations, sort items in the warehouse, or assemble furniture so it’s ready to use. We accommodate individuals and groups, as long as everyone is over 18 years old!
Within the last year, we hosted numerous individual volunteers and groups from Saint Joseph’s University, Jefferson Ave Insurance, RSM, Villanova University, Toll Brothers, T-Mobile, and Hargrove Engineers. We are incredibly grateful for the staff from these organizations who spent a few hours with us at the Furniture Bank.
Volunteering at PFB can be a solo effort or something you do with friends or coworkers. It’s a hands-on experience where you’ll see the hustle and bustle of the warehouse in action. You might even meet PFB clients and help them select furniture for their new homes. When you assemble a table here, that table could soon become the dinner table for a family exiting homelessness.
No two days are the same. With a constant flow of furniture and housewares coming in and out, thanks in part to our partnership with Good Haul, there’s always something to do. The warehouse staff are incredibly welcoming and always willing to lend a hand or answer a question. As longtime volunteer Deirdre says, the staff “make sure I have everything that I need.”
While we welcome all volunteers over the age of 18, individuals with experience in furniture repair, assembly, or woodworking are especially needed. PFB often receives beautiful pieces that just need a little extra attention before they’re ready for our clients. Volunteers who have the skills and interest to restore furniture are a huge help. That said, anyone over 18 who wants to lend a hand at PFB is welcome!
Interested in volunteering with us?
Visit this link to fill out our volunteer application or send us an email at volunteer@pthpa.org to start the conversation. In addition to individuals, we’re always happy to host groups for corporate teambuilding or university volunteering. We also have a new volunteer space that we’re sprucing up to build an even better experience for our volunteers. Volunteering at PFB is a great opportunity to be a part of something meaningful and community-driven.
