NARDA Encourages Furniture Industry Philanthropy

Furniture World Magazine

The North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA), representing approximately 3,000 storefronts and accounting for over $10 billion in annual sales, has endorsed “Help 1 Up,” the industry’s unified charitable effort to benefit furniture banks. A “furniture bank” is a non-profit organization which collects unwanted basic home furnishing necessities and provides them to people in need. Typical clients of furniture banks are women and children escaping domestic violence, families below the poverty line, victims of natural disasters, and others requiring emergency assistance. “We’re happy to support the Help 1 Up program,” said Tom Drake, president and CEO of NARDA. “It’s great to see the entire furniture industry getting involved. We’re going to make a big difference in people’s lives.” 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). Tom Polk, chairman of the NFBA, said the endorsement by NARDA illustrates the momentum building rapidly behind the Help 1 Up program. “As the first retailers, associations, and manufacturers are pledging their support, more organizations are coming on board. The NFBA will be announcing the ten Founding Retailers within a few weeks, then it’s just a matter of getting the word out to the rest of the furniture industry.” 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.” Ted Swisher, vice president of U.S. Affiliates for Habitat for Humanity International said that “the NFBA is filling a vital role of facilitating furniture bank programs throughout the country to help people in need with the basics for their new living quarters. We are excited about working with them to truly make a house a home a reality for the disadvantaged of this country.” About the North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA) NARDA's mission is to provide the power of knowledge to independent retailers through progressive education, information and services, with friendly and prompt service. A not-for-profit trade association established in 1943 with members throughout North, Central and South America, NARDA members are independent retailers selling furniture, appliances, consumer home and mobile electronics, and other consumer home products. 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 North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA) Jennifer Michalek Director of Communications (800) 621-0298 jmichalek@narda.com http://www.narda.com