Hope Seeks Donations and Seamstress
Newport Beach Independent — By Newport Indy Staff, April 7, 2020
Homelessness is a critical issue for Orange County, and COVID-19 presents this already vulnerable population with additional challenges and threats. Those living in shelters are not able to effectively practice social distancing due to high capacity, making the need to move families out of shelters and into housing even more critical at this time.
Thanks to a partnership between Newport Beach-based Furnishing Hope — which provides furniture, mattresses, bedding, bathroom supplies, and kitchenware to help furnish homes for people in crisis — and Illumination Foundation, families in need are now moving into housing more quickly so they can shelter-in-place safely. Illumination Foundation is sourcing the housing while Furnishing Hope is providing all of the furnishings and essentials these families need to make four walls into a home and safe haven during the pandemic, and beyond.
Tasked with furnishing an average of five homes each week to combat this crisis, the Furnishing Hope team is asking for support from the local community to continue their good work. They are in dire need of donations such as bedsheets, mattress pads, bed pillows, bath and hand towels, hygiene products, lightbulbs, and many other essential home items.
Ways to Give
- Purchase and donate items by shopping Furnishing Hope's Amazon Wish List and select "Ship to Furnishing Hope" at checkout.
- Give financially through Venmo by sending to @Furnishing-Hope, or visit the Furnishing Hope website and donate via PayPal.
- Arrange a safe drop-off of items by emailing Cindy@furnishinghope.org or calling 949.419.4574.
Volunteer Seamstresses Needed
If you are a quilter, seamstress, or other sewing professional — or just love to sew — Furnishing Hope is lending out sewing machines and supplies to anyone interested in sewing protective masks for the OC community. There are eight sewing machines (typically used as part of Furnishing Hope's National Pillow Project) available on a first come, first serve basis.
Volunteers can choose where they'd like to donate their masks — whether to a local hospital, the elderly, or another essential business or community in need. If you or someone you know is interested, please email Cindy Griesemer at cindy@furnishinghope.org or call (949) 419-4574.
Full List of Items Needed
- Twin and Queen Sheets (must be new/unused)
- Twin and Queen Mattress Pads (must be new/unused)
- Bed Pillows (must be new/unused)
- Blankets & Throws (must be new/unused)
- Bath & Hand Towels (must be new/unused)
- Shower Curtain Liners and Rings
- Children's Bedding, including themed bedding (must be new/unused)
- Wall Art and Décor
- Accessories
- Lightbulbs
- Extension Cords
- Hygiene Products
- Cleaning Products
- Pantry Essentials
Visit FurnishingHope.org for more information.
Read the full article on Newport Beach Independent.