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Community Corner

Bob's Discount Furniture Partners with Simply Sharing to Help Connecticut's Homeless Population Transition into Sustainable, Supportive Housing

Furniture Donations Help Families Start New Lives

MANCHESTER, Conn. – July 17, 2013 Bob’s Discount Furniture today announced a partnership with Simply Sharing, an Essex, Conn.-based organization, under the sponsorship of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, whose mission is to provide basic furniture, household goods and occasional interior design input to individuals and families transitioning from homelessness to sustainable and supportive housing. Since the partnership began last October, Simply Sharing has provided more than 50 pieces of furniture to over a dozen families and individuals moving from homeless shelters into transitional and permanent, supportive housing. Bob’s has generously donated the majority of the sofas, chairs, and bed frames to aid the effort. 

“When someone first moves out of a shelter, the money they’re earning usually doesn’t go very far, and many can’t afford furnishings,” said Alison Brinkmann, Simply Sharing’s president and founder. Her program recently helped a single mother with three small children who moved into a home with no furniture – not even beds to sleep on. However, with Bob’s assistance and donations from individuals in the area the family received four beds, a sofa, chairs, and kitchen supplies, such as pots, pans, glasses and dishes.

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“We really appreciate Bob’s help in getting our recipients started with some of these basic household items,” said Brinkmann. “Their assistance takes away some of the stress of moving and helps these families focus on getting back on their feet financially.”

Simply Sharing was created with the goal of helping people all over Connecticut. Thus far it has focused mainly on Middlesex County, where it works closely with New Haven-based Columbus House, which provides a continuum of services to those experiencing homelessness including emergency shelter, comprehensive case management, employment services and transitional and permanent, supportive housing solutions to the region’s estimated 900 homeless people.

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“We have enthusiastically supported Columbus House for over 10 years, and it’s rewarding to find an organization like Simply Sharing that extends the effectiveness of its programs,” said Cathy Poulin, public relations director for Bob’s Discount Furniture. “Alison makes each family feel comforted and welcomed into their new home with her amazing attention to detail.”

Simply Sharing is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, which provides oversight and administrative support, and accepts donations on behalf of the program. The community foundation works with charitably minded individuals and organizations to build permanent endowments, while supporting local nonprofit organizations through effective grant making and other programs.

About Bob’s Discount Furniture

Bob’s Discount Furniture provides a wide variety of quality furniture at everyday low prices. This variety includes living room furniture, bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, office furniture, and home accents that will compliment any home. The stores also offer a unique and enjoyable shopping experience featuring cafes in each store with free gourmet coffee, ice cream, cookies and candy. Since 1991, Bob’s has built strong customer loyalty by offering the highest-value home furnishings at the lowest possible prices. With 47 stores located throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Virginia, the Manchester, Conn.-based company has become the 15th-largest U.S. furniture chain. Bob’s is committed to supporting communities where its stores are located through a variety of charitable giving efforts. Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation has anchored the company’s philanthropic work for more than 15 years. In addition, the Bob’s Outreach program was created as a separate entity to help schools and children-related charities. Every year the company donates more than $100,000 to schools and more than $1.5 million to charities through these programs. To find out more about Bob’s Discount Furniture, visit www.MyBobs.com. For more information on Bob’s charitable programs, visit www.BobsCares.org, and follow us on Twitter at @MyBobs_Tweets and @MyBobs_Charity and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyBobs.

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