October 2026 Furniture Bank Newsletter
From the President
WWDD: What Would Dolly Do?
We all have different gifts to bring to the table, and each one has value.
And those gifts change throughout our lives. There are seasons when we can give. Depending on which “phase” we are in it may be time, talent, influence, connections or simply the perspective that comes from having lived a little longer and learned a little more. Some of us can open a door. Some can share a skill. Some can make an introduction. Some can lend a voice, an idea or a helping hand. And sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is simply showing up.
At Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit, we see every day what can happen when people bring what they have to the table. One gift leads to another. One person inspires another. And together, those individual acts become something much greater than any one of us could create alone.
One thing rings true: We all have something to give.
What is the gift you can bring to the table?
Whatever it is, it is never wasted. There is the gratitude of knowing you helped. The satisfaction of knowing you made a difference. The joy of being useful. The connection that comes from showing up for someone else. And that quiet feeling that comes when you know you gave a little of yourself to something that matters.
Perhaps that is the greatest gift of all: discovering that what we give away has a way of finding its way back to us.
With gratitude,
Diane Charles,
President & CEO
Volunteer with us
Help Keep Our Mission Moving
Every day, Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit connects individuals and families with the furniture and household essentials that help make a house feel like home.
Behind every donation, client appointment and delivery is a team of people working together. We need your help.
We are currently seeking weekday volunteers to assist with administrative needs, client services and warehouse organization.
Volunteers may help with:
- Answering phones and providing general office assistance
- Helping with administrative tasks that keep our operations running smoothly
- Sorting and organizing linens, including sheets, blankets, towels and bedding
- Sorting, inspecting and organizing dishes, glasses, mugs and other household items
- Keeping shelves, bins and work areas neat, organized and ready for families
Interested in volunteering?
Contact Allison Gowan-Moreno, Director of Development, at agowan@furniture-bank.org or 248-648-1001 to learn more about current opportunities and how to apply.
There’s More Than One Way To Give
As you plan your year-end giving, there are several ways to support Furniture Bank that may also offer tax benefits, depending on your individual circumstances:
Give From Your IRA
If you are age 70 or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD, directly from your IRA to Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit.
A QCD can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution, if applicable, and may provide tax benefits depending on your circumstances. If you are required to take an RMD from your retirement account, ask your financial advisor whether a charitable distribution to Furniture Bank could be part of your giving strategy.
Give Appreciated Stock
A gift of appreciated stock may allow you to support Furniture Bank while potentially avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation. Your broker or financial advisor can help you determine whether a stock gift is right for you.
Give Through a Donor-Advised Fund
A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is a charitable giving account that allows you to recommend grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. If you have a DAF, consider recommending a grant to Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit to help furnish homes and strengthen families throughout our community.
Ready to Make a Gift?
- Talk with your financial advisor to determine which is right for you.
- Talk with your financial advisor to determine which is right for you.
- Talk with your financial advisor to determine which is right for you.
Furniture Bank In The News
Partner Spotlight
St. Vincent de Paul Detroit: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Our work is made possible by a network of 100 organizations that know their communities, understand what families are facing and help connect them to Furniture Bank.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit has been helping Metro Detroit neighbors through difficult times for more than 140 years. Its network of local volunteers provides direct assistance to families facing hardship, including help with food, housing, utilities, clothing, beds and other essential needs. Their approach is personal: neighbors helping neighbors, one family at a time.
That spirit carries into their partnership with Furniture Bank. This year alone, St. Vincent de Paul has helped 60 families access Furniture Bank, referring families for essential furnishings and helping cover appointment fees and delivery costs.
“When you can help turn a house into a home, you’re not only helping one family, you’re helping our entire community become a better place to live,” said Joseph B., volunteer. “That’s what inspires me.”
Did You Know?
Fun Facts & Stats
Americans formally volunteer each year, contributing an estimated $160 billion in economic value.
Over 2.3 million Michiganders give their time annually, providing roughly 185.9 million total hours of service.
An independent economic value report estimates the value of one hour of volunteer time at $36.14.
Research has found associations between volunteering 100 or more hours annually and positive health outcomes.
