MAP Furniture Bank - Mission & History

"Turning Empty Houses into Homes"

MAP Furniture Bank provides free furniture to central Ohio residents who are dealing with severe life challenges ranging from previous homelessness to mental disability.

Nearly 80 percent of the people we serve earn less than $10,000 annually and 95 percent earn less than $20,000 annually, leaving them unable to properly furnish their homes.

MAP Furniture Bank helps these clients establish an improved quality of life and “turn their empty houses into homes.”

"You've given me hope I'd thought I lost. You have restored my faith in people."

- Rhonda W.

"MAP is a lifeline for people striving to be independent."

- Kelly, case manager

See Also

National Furniture Bank Association

Furniture Banks Listed by State

About MAP:

What People
Are Saying

Mission & History

Mission Statement

To provide free furniture to neighbors in need.

How We Do What We Do

MAP Furniture Bank (MAP) is a community project that relies on the support of local organizations and individuals to "turn empty houses into homes." All of the furniture distributed to local families is from our free pick up program! Furniture is donated by local residents, hotels, colleges and furniture stores.

Local individuals, corporations and grant resources provide funding for furniture. It costs $225 to provide a houseful of furniture (12-14 pieces) to every family we serve.

History of MAP Furniture Bank

1998	Jeff Hay founded Material Assistance Providers, Inc. (MAP) in 1998 to provide free furniture to families and individuals living in empty houses in Columbus. While working at Columbus’ Open Shelter, Jeff noticed that families were often unsuccessful in staying in a home or an apartment once they left the shelter. The families returned because their residences lacked the essential comforts of home: no bed to sleep on, no table to share meals, no stove to cook food, and so on. Jeff was intent on providing a better solution and set out to “turn empty houses into homes." Working out of an abandoned church on East Morrill Avenue, Jeff served 75 families that first year with the help of church and community members. As donations of furniture began to strengthen, families with other challenges sought assistance. MAP expanded to serve families coping with divorce, loss of job, immigration, fire, flood and other life crises.
2000	Through a generous donation, MAP moved to a larger building on Columbus' far west side, enabling growth and the ability to serve more families.
2001	The community volunteers that formed MAP's Board of Directors wanted to build MAP into an organization that the community could count on to furnish homes for years to come. They focused on improving staffing, facility, funding, volunteers, furniture availability and community awareness.
2002	MAP moved to an even larger facility, just west of the prior one, and growth continued. MAP served more than 2,300 families in 2002./
2003	By 2003, MAP was serving more than 2,600 families per year, furniture donation sources were expanding and MAP was becoming a key component of support services in central Ohio.
2004	In early 2004, Jim Stein was hired as President to grow the organization. MAP grew to serve 3,100 families that year and began offering same-day delivery of furniture based on client feedback. In 2004, the facility MAP occupied was sold, and the organization was forced to move again to an adjacent facility.
2005	A capital campaign for a larger, permanent facility was launched in April 2005, and improvements in daily furniture pickup and client service processes were implemented. MAP served nearly 3,300 families in 2005.
2006	Strong community support allowed MAP to purchase its first permanent facility MAY 2006. On June 28, 2006, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman cut the ribbon at MAP's new home in Franklinton. Along with the excitement of finding a permanent facility for the organization, the Mayor declared June 28, 2006 as MAP Furniture Bank Day. MAP served nearly 3,400 families in 2006.
2007	MAP officially changed its name to MAP Furniture Bank, acknowledging its progress as a resource for underprivileged and struggling families. Staff expansions enabled MAP to increase funding, increase furniture donations and expand community awareness and involvement. MAP served more than 3,500 families.
2008	MAP Furniture Bank celebrated its tenth year serving central Ohio and provided 3,800 local families with a houseful of furniture. MAP expects that families seeking assistance will grow dramatically in 2009 and 2010, due to the housing crisis and economic challenges facing our state and country. With the community's help, MAP expects to make a difference for 4,400 families in 2009.

How You Can Help

Spread the Word! Only 20 percent of local residents have heard of MAP Furniture Bank
Donate Furniture! We will pick up gently-used items for FREE
Support our Cause! 86 cents of every dollar goes directly to furnishing local homes