Furniture Makes a House a Home: Linda's Story
Below, please read the story of Linda Francis — a Matthew House Furniture Bank volunteer and monthly donor — in her own words.
The beloved furniture we get from families is marvellous, maybe sometimes a bit dated. Because our furniture is donated, what we have at any given time fluctuates.
I remember one day a big family came through, and I was helping a lady look through what we had. I found myself quietly apologising, saying that we didn’t have a big selection and it didn’t look like a lot. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “I had nothing. And now I have something. I’m so grateful and it’s just what we need.”
I felt an overwhelming emotional surge from my heart, and I knew that we made such a difference. And not just to that family but for lots of families, with lots of their own reasons for why they need to rebuild their homes and lives.
There is such dignity in our homes. Do you have dignity if you don’t have a place to rest your head or for your kids to sleep? Having a home, regardless of how modest, means everything.
I’ve been blessed all my life, and I believe it’s important to address my blessings by giving. And I give monthly because it helps with the cash flow--a steady supply coming to the charity is better for them to know how much money is coming in. And I budget for it too, so it also helps me manage my retirement budget.
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Wanna help? Here is how you can change lives through Matthew House Ottawa:
Donations: you can give online here or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
Become a monthly donor: The consistent support from our monthly donors is a HUGE help, and we would encourage you to give in this way if you are able. You can set up a monthly donation here – just click “donate monthly” tab at the top of the page.
Refugee Services: We welcome donations of grocery cards (or groceries and frozen meals) to help feed the refugees we have welcomed at the house, though we ask that you please contact Doreen in advance to make arrangements (dkatto@matthewhouseottawa.org).
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture you no longer need, please give us a call at 613-591-6681. And please spread the word among your networks as well.
Since 2010, Matthew House Ottawa has welcomed hundreds of refugee claimants, and provided quality used furniture to more than 6000 families in need. We have done this as a large, dedicated team of volunteers and a small handful of employees, with a lot of passion and commitment. Thank you for helping to make this important work possible!