January 2026 Furniture Bank Newsletter
The Best Bedtime Story
In a world that often feels heavy, the 1,000 Beds Challenge delivered something powerful: hope you can feel, generosity you can measure, and a future that begins with a good night’s sleep.
As of January 5, 2026, our community has already donated 875 beds, and the number continues to grow. That means 864 Metro Detroit children will have something many of us take for granted: a bed of their very own. A safe place to rest. A place to dream. A place where childhood can finally exhale.
What makes this story even more extraordinary is how it was written.
Seniors gave what they could. Families made beds part of their holiday giving. Churches rallied their congregations. Board members led with passion and commitment. Companies like Suburban Automotive Services stepped forward with leadership and heart. Gifts ranged from just $9 to an extraordinary $50,000, and every single one mattered. That range tells the real story: generosity isn’t measured by size, but by heart,” said David Zick, Board Chair.
For children who have been sleeping on floors, couches, or sharing overcrowded mattresses, a bed is far more than furniture. It represents comfort and security—the foundation for healthy growth, better learning, and emotional stability. It’s where bedtime stories are read, where worries fade, and where tomorrow begins with strength instead of exhaustion.
We are also deeply grateful for partners who turned generosity into impact. Our friends at Pontiac-based ABC Warehouse and Serta Restokraft in Romulus helped make this challenge possible by standing with us and with the children, ensuring that beds reached homes where they were needed most.
This is what happens when a community says yes. Yes to dignity. Yes to children. Yes to believing that small acts, one bed at a time, can change lives in lasting ways.
At the Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit, that’s the kind of story that lets us all sleep a little better at night.
From the President
Attitude is Altitude
The start of a new year is not just a reset; it’s a moment to take stock of what we’ve proven is possible and to set our sights higher.
We ended last year by meeting one of our most ambitious goals yet: the 1,000 Beds Challenge. That milestone represents far more than a number. It means children sleeping safely in their own beds, families experiencing stability, and dignity being restored in real, tangible ways.
As we move forward, we’re bringing that same focus and determination into the year ahead. Our goals are clear. Our standards are high. And our belief in what this community can accomplish together is stronger than ever.
We’re proud to announce the return of the 2nd Annual Furniture Flip Challenge & Bash, building on the creativity, energy, and generosity that made last year such a success. It will once again bring together supporters who understand that innovative thinking can drive meaningful change.
We’re also preparing to launch a new signature event—one that reflects the growth of our organization and the momentum of our mission. We’re not quite ready to share the details, but we can promise this: it will create new ways to engage, new opportunities to give, and an even greater impact for the families we serve.
This year, we are focused on expanding our reach, strengthening our operations, and ensuring that more families move from crisis to stability. The work ahead is significant, but so is the resolve behind it.
Thank you for standing with us. The year ahead will matter, and together, we will make it count.
Diane Charles,
President & CEO
A Family's New Start
At just 25 years old, Meriah never imagined she would be starting the winter without a home.
In November, she, her husband, and their three children—a 5-year-old son, a 1-year-old boy, and a newborn daughter just three weeks old—were evicted from their Detroit apartment. With no place to go, they packed everything they owned into their car and relocated to Pontiac. Everything else was left behind.
For four long weeks, the family lived with almost nothing. All five of them slept together on one mattress on the floor. The children had no beds of their own, no place to sit, eat, or simply feel settled. For a new mother struggling with postpartum depression, the weight of uncertainty was overwhelming.
In early December, through one of our partner agencies, the Furniture Bank stepped in. Meriah’s home was transformed in a single day. Her 5-year-old son received a brand-new twin mattress, foundation, bedding, and pillow—a bed that was truly his own for the first time in weeks. The baby received a Pack ’n Play and a cribette, giving both children safe, secure places to sleep.
The relief was immediate and emotional. Meriah shed tears knowing her children were no longer crowded together but resting safely and comfortably.
The impact didn’t stop with beds. The family received a sofa and loveseat, a dining table with chairs, end tables, lamps, and rugs—turning an empty space into a real home. These are items many of us take for granted, but for Meriah, they represent stability, dignity, and a fresh start. Furniture didn’t just fill a house; it lifted a burden and restored hope.
As we look toward 2026, this is the tone we are setting, one family at a time. Safe beds for children. Comfort for parents. And the foundation families need to move forward. Because when a home is furnished with care, it becomes a place where healing begins and futures can grow.
Fun Fact!
Few local charities accept mattresses, but we sanitize those without rips, stains, tears, or pet hair for families in need, helping over 1,500 people get beds.
Time To Declutter
The New Year is great for decluttering. Ask yourself if items like pillows, sheets, towels, or kitchen utensils could benefit someone else. If you’re ready to donate, fill out our form anytime.
Together: A Powerful Partnership with The Detroit Shoppe
We are proud to celebrate a meaningful partnership with The Detroit Shoppe, a unique retail store located at Somerset Collection North whose mission is rooted in community pride and purpose. Featuring Detroit-focused merchandise, The Detroit Shoppe is more than a store—it’s a platform for giving back. Thanks to the generosity of Somerset Collection, each month the shop’s proceeds benefit a dedicated local charity.
In December, the Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit was honored to be selected as one of those beneficiaries. Through this partnership, The Detroit Shoppe contributed a generous $5,000 donation, allowing us to add 30 brand-new beds to our 1,000 Beds Challenge—each one providing comfort, dignity, and a good night’s sleep for a child in need.
This momentum was further amplified by the incredible generosity of the employees of Suburban Automotive Services in Troy. Their team donated $2,500, which the company proudly matched with another $2,500, bringing their total contribution to $5,000. That support translated into 20 additional beds for families across our community.
Together, these partnerships are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when businesses, employees, and community members come together with a shared purpose. Step by step, bed by bed, we are changing lives, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this impact possible.
