BIFMA Backs Furniture Industry Charitable Effort

Furniture World Magazine

BIFMA International, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association, announced its endorsement of “Help 1 Up,” the furniture industry’s unified charitable effort to support furniture banks. A “furniture bank” is a non-profit organization which collects unwanted home furnishing necessities and provides them to people in need. Those served by furniture banks are women and children escaping domestic violence, families below the poverty line, victims of natural disasters, and others requiring emergency assistance. BIFMA’s member base represents over 80% of the value of North American shipments of office furniture. Thomas Reardon, the executive director of BIFMA, expressed hope that the Help 1 Up program will be quickly adopted by retailers. “This effort should be supported by everybody in the furniture industry,” commented Reardon. “BIFMA stands behind the Help 1 Up program, and applauds our colleagues on the home furnishing side who have already agreed to participate.” The Help 1 Up program encourages consumers to shop at participating retailers and add 1% to their next furniture purchase. Proceeds from Help 1 Up will directly support furniture banks all across the nation, increase private monetary and in-kind donations to local furniture banks, and seed new furniture banks in underserved areas. The Help 1 Up program is administered by the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA). The NFBA plans a consumer awareness campaign through broadcast and print media, slated for production by the end of 2004. Each year tens of thousands of people receive donated beds, kitchen tables, dressers, dishes, and utensils from furniture banks. According to a July 2004 survey of furniture bank operators, children represent the largest percentage of their service base. The tagline for Help 1 Up is “No child in America should have to sleep on the floor.” About BIFMA International Established in 1973, BIFMA International is a not-for-profit trade association of furniture manufacturers and suppliers addressing issues of common concern. BIFMA's mission is to serve the North American office and business furniture manufacturing industry as an information resource and industry advocate, and by offering industry-wide trade development opportunities. "The Industry Voice for Workplace Solutions." About the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) The NFBA is the non-profit affiliation of furniture banks. The organization’s mission is to create comfortable home environments by providing furnishings to those in need. Contact the NFBA to learn more about the Help 1 Up program or how retailers can participate. Contact Information National Furniture Bank Association Don Lawrence Vice President, Communications (800) 576-0774 dlawrence@Help1Up.org http://www.Help1Up.org BIFMA International Thomas Reardon Executive Director (616) 285 3963 treardon@bifma.org http://www.bifma.com/