Success Stories

Sister Anne, founder of Furniture Bank, recounts just three of the many stories of clients helped by the organization.

Ellen, 18 years old and pregnant, arrived at Furniture Bank less than a week before Christmas. Without a trace of self-pity she told us her story.

Her mother had died of a drug overdose when Ellen was a youngster. Her father,
a cocaine addict, had introduced Ellen’s seven brothers to the habit, but thankfully not Ellen. The family was constantly on the move and eventually Ellen ran away from the madness.

She landed in Toronto and spent her pregnancy in a shelter.

When our volunteer driver delivered Ellen's furniture, he noticed that there was nothing in the apartment except a sleeping bag and two small, battered suitcases.

Anna, a beautifully dressed, 50-something woman walked towards the reception area. As I watched her come towards me, I presumed she was a social worker, perhaps looking for information.

However, as she approached the desk, she burst into tears. “I was always the one who gave help to others,” she cried. “I’ve never had to ask for help myself.”

We talked, and I explained to Anna that all the furniture was donated to help her. I invited her to select whatever she required. She was most appreciative of the assistance the Furniture Bank was able to provide.

Maria needed a single bed. Unfortunately we didn’t have one in the warehouse.

Mohammed arrived just as she was leaving. He was returning a single bed he’d received from us one year earlier.

Maria got the bed she needed, and Mohammed was able to pass along the goodness that had helped him get started in his new country. Little miracles do happen.

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