We love New Life Furniture Bank, Thrift Store and think you will too

A new life. That's what a fully furnished home provides for someone starting a new chapter. From new furniture and mattresses to dishes and cookware, that's what New Life Furniture Bank (NLFB) provides for thousands of neighbors in need.

"For the first few years, NLFB was a small ministry of Milford First United Methodist Church, and in 2009, it became a 501(C)3 Furniture Bank," recalls CEO Dana Saxton. "New Life Furniture Bank started by serving six households to serving 600 households per year in just a few years."

According to Saxton, New Life Furniture Bank is on track to serve 2,400 households this year, partnering with over 50 social service agencies serving those in need throughout the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Dayton areas.

"We believe in the healing power of giving and receiving to empower communities to come together and support our most vulnerable populations," Saxton shares. "We are working to make sure that every child has a bed to sleep on in the communities we serve."

Here's how the process works:

1) NLFB Accepts Donated Items: Individuals, businesses, churches, community groups (you name it!) all donate furniture and household items to help make a house a home for their neighbors in need. Click here to learn more about what they accept and schedule a furniture donation pick up.

2) Purchase When Needed: When donations of gently used beds don’t keep up with demand, NLFB purchases new beds from cash donations. Learn more about its "Beds For Sleepyheads" program and make a financial donation today.

3) Volunteers Build/Sort/Pack: NLFB wouldn’t exist without the volunteers who put in over 200 hours each month to help keep up with demand. Learn more about its Furniture Build program or sign up to volunteer in the NLFB warehouse with your family, friends, or co-workers.

4) Agency Collaboration: Agencies request furniture for qualified individuals receiving supportive services. Each family can request up to 15 pieces of furniture PLUS any housewares they need including pots, pans, dishes, small kitchen appliances, linens and wish list items like a television, vacuum, microwave, or other need. Learn more about NLFB Partner Agencies.

5) NLFB Delivers Furniture, Picks Up Donations: Six days a week, Monday – Saturday, NLFB trucks and distribution teams are on the road delivering and setting up furnishings in the homes of neighbors in need and picking up donations from those who have some to spare. Learn more about what they accept, and schedule a furniture donation pick up.

In 2022, NLFB opened a Thrift Store in Sharonville to support its mission and open an additional outlet for donated items. "There are some items, like clothing and accessories, or even large or outdoor furniture that we aren't able to include with our home furnishing services," says Saxton. "But they're lovely items, and a savvy shopper would love to have them, so our Thrift Store allows us to connect the dots there and support our mission."

The Thrift Store offers a huge 15,000 square foot space, full of furniture, home décor, clothing, shoes, accessories, books and more. Plus, there's also a neighboring drop-off location space if you have items you'd like to donate.

"We have everything here, and we're always refreshing with new items" says store manager Stephanie Aldridge. "You will be able to find so many great things here."

The NLFB Thrift Store also has a new eBay store to reach an even broader audience. "We put our books, vintage toys, clothing, accessories, and smaller home decor items on there, and they do very well!"

NLFB also hosts several fundraising and "friend raising" events throughout the year to support its mission. The Grand Opening of the NLFB Community Engagement Center is Sept 16, a Fall Fashion Fête cocktail party at the Thrift Store is Oct. 5, and Party in the House at the newly revamped 20th Century Theater is Nov. 3.

NLFB is located at 11335 Reed Hartman Hwy. Unit 134 Cincinnati, Ohio 45241, and the NLFB Thrift Store is located at 12037 Lebanon Rd. Sharonville, OH 45241. To learn more, visit https://nlfurniture.org. You can follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.