First Methodist Furniture Bank

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time.

November 29, 2012

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary pg. 5 - 8 Overview . pg. 9 - 12 Proposal .. pg. 14 - 16 Costs pg. 17 - 20 Website pg. 21 - 27 Logo . pg. 29 - 30 Deliverables . pg. 31 - 36, . 79 - 80 Church Event pg. 37 - 39 News Conference . pg. 41 - 43 Media Advisory Templates .. pg. 45 - 47 Media Advisory pg. 49 - 50 News Release pg. 51 - 55 Invitations . pg. 57 - 60 News Conference Script pg. 61 - 67 Newspaper Articles pg. 69 - 75 Future Moves . pg. 77 Meet Our Team pg. 81 - 82

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time.

Executive Summary:

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time.

Executive Summary This report covers our efforts to launch the First United Methodist Furniture Bank, which is a part of a larger Furniture Cooperative. Located in Lafayette, Indiana, the Bank provides furniture to families in need through multiple agencies in the Greater Lafayette Area and Tippecanoe County. The organization uses a donated warehouse and costs are covered by the First United Methodist Church of West Lafayette. Its intensive labor is handled by unpaid volunteers and operational communication and records are maintained by FUMC church members. When we evaluated the internal and external factors of the Furniture Bank we found that the warehouse being used was not open to the public and the organization had few reliable staff members available to monitor activities of the warehouse itself. It also wasnt well known in the community. We then did an analysis on the Furniture Banks strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges. We assessed that the current cooperative and facility, that included the current supply of donated furniture at the moment in time, was a strong point for the organization. The weaknesses included no regular hours of operations and the lack of communication among church leaders was limiting the organizations outreach in the community. The Bank had several opportunities which included efforts to launch the agency publicly and informing and recruiting the community. The challenges for the non-profit included possible long-term commitment problems, other agencies and businesses that accept furniture and finding usable space for furniture deliveries.

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time. From this analysis our proposal was created. In the proposal we outlined five goals to accomplish for the Furniture Bank. These were: (1) Publicly launch the Furniture Bank in the community; (2) increase furniture donations; (3) increase volunteers; (4) generate monetary donations; and (5) increase church community involvement. From these goals we developed our objectives, strategies and tactics. Our objectives included increasing awareness in the community through media, promotion and online information. We also included donation and volunteer goals for the Bank, set to specific numerical goals. From these objectives our strategies emerged. We planned to create an event to launch the Furniture Bank, improve web content, reach out to key audiences and create a new county-wide missions-related organization to address community needs. Our tactics for achieving these goals included holding a furniture drive and community pick-up day, and creating a lunch for all church mission representatives in Tippecanoe County to raise awareness of the Furniture Bank. We also organized and managed a news conference and issued a press release to media regarding the Furniture Bank and the furniture drive. Other tactics included improving the current web site, creating a logo and an e-invitation, ghost-writing a letter-to-the-editor to send to local newspapers and creating and distributing flyers. We also created brochures and business cards to help promote the Furniture Bank as well as a pull-up banner to be used at the church event and press conference. Photos and copies of these supporting materials can be found in this report. On October 22, 2012, we held a joint news conference for the launch of the Furniture Bank and Furniture Cooperative at the American Red Cross conference room at the Howarth Center. Local media such as WLFI, WBAA and Journal and Courier were in attendance. All of the preparations, scripts, media advisories, new releases, video, pictures and invites to respected members of the community also are contained in this report. On Oct. 27, the furniture drive and community pick-up day took place to great success. The event was covered by the local TV news channel. A Purdue fraternity, volunteers for Purdues Make A Difference Day, members of the church and Coca Cola Refreshments participated. We were able to accomplish our goals for the drive, which can be found in this report in more detail.
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There were several opportunities that we werent able to accomplish that the organization can focus on in the future. One of those objectives is to raise monetary donations for mattresses, because mattresses are hard to come by for actual donations. Another objective that we werent able to achieve is focusing on obtaining reliable volunteers that can do future furniture pick-ups. The Furniture Bank can also focus on working with several local organizations to help move furniture and organize the warehouse. Another objective the organization can also do is to contact Life Care and Matrix and request that they forward furniture donations that they are unable to store to the Furniture Bank. The Furniture Bank can continue to the refine its community outreaches by improving and maintaining membership with its current Furniture Cooperative it is a part of and the local area churches involvement. The organization is growing and will continue to grow with these recommendations and continuation of the set goals and strategies that we laid out through this report.

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time.

Overview:

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time.

The First Methodist Furniture Bank is an up-and-coming charity created to provide furniture to families in need. Along with two other agencies, the furniture bank collects furniture as donations from the community in the Greater Lafayette are of Indiana. These three warehouses are a part of a cooperative of non-profit agencies that help distribute the donated furniture to families in need. First Methodist Furniture Bank uses a donated warehouse to store all furniture donated by the community. Incidental costs for the furniture bank are covered by the Mission and Social Concerns Committee of First Methodist. First Methodist Furniture Bank was able to buy mattresses with the churchs endowment fund. Unpaid volunteers are used for all labor intensive work.

First Church on a Mission...

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Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time. Location: 501 N. Third St. (between Brown and Cincinnati) Clientele American Red Cross, Tippecanoe County Chapter Bauer Community Center Family Promise First United Methodist Church Food Finders Food Bank Inc. Lafayette Transitional Housing Center Lafayette Urban Ministry Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County The Salvation Army Wabash Valley Mental Health Center Weed and Seed YWCA Domestic Violence and Intervention Program Scope: The First Methodist Furniture Bank was created to help provide free furniture and household items to clients assisted by non-profit agencies. It serves clients of agencies in Tippecanoe County. Without overt publicity, the furniture bank has taken more than 160 pieces of furniture including couches, chairs, beds, dressers, tables and other items. Of those, more than 85 pieces has been distributed as of Sept. 12. Internal/External Factors Internal

The furniture bank warehouse is not open to public There is few staff available to help monitor the warehouse and its inventory There is a lack of information available about the furniture bank and what it has to offer. There are a good number of agencies using the furniture bank as a source to help families in need The furniture bank needs to find people that are willing to volunteer even though there are no regular set hours.
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External

Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time. Strengths: The warehouse location provides a large space to store many more furniture donations. The furniture bank is a part of a larger cooperative that includes many other local nonprofit agencies. There are also several other local businesses and organizations that support the furniture bank. There is a substantial amount of existing furniture available. Working solely with other agencies, as opposed to the community directly, allows First Methodist Furniture Bank to be specialized and focused on collecting donations. Weaknesses: There are no regular hours of operation for the warehouse or for donation pick-ups. Little information is currently available to the public about the furniture bank. The communication among church leaders is poor, limiting the organizations outreach to the Greater Lafayette community. Opportunities: First Methodist Furniture Bank has many opportunities surrounding its efforts to launch the agency publicly. The furniture bank hopes to be able to inform the people in the community and other agencies about First Methodist Furniture Bank by holding a news release. It wants to be able to recruit volunteers and donors. It wishes the opportunity to host events that could result in monetary donations to be used for the purchase of mattresses. The furniture bank wishes to add to what is currently available online and create a website. Challenges: Volunteers might not commit long term. There are other agencies in the Lafayette area that also accept furniture, which could affect donations. Another challenge may be finding a usable space for furniture to be delivered because First Methodist Furniture Bank does not want furniture delivered directly to the warehouse.
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Proposal:

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Goals Launch the First Methodist Furniture Bank Increase furniture donations Increase volunteers Generate monetary donations Increase church community involvement

Objectives Increase awareness of the furniture bank within the community. Increase the amount of information available online Increase furniture donations to two per week Raise money to help pay for mattresses Gain at least two additional volunteer drivers for furniture pick-ups and two organizations willing and able to help move furniture and organize the warehouse Strategies Create event to launch the furniture bank Create a new county-wide missions-related organization to discuss ideas and efforts to address community needs

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Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time. Tactics

Hold a furniture drive and community pick-up day event

Set up drop-off locations for furniture donations Recruit volunteer drivers, i.e., local churches, youth groups, etc., for the day to help with the furniture drive

Attend and help with the First United Methodist Churchs dinner/event to raise awareness for the furniture bank

Design and send invitations Write a script Create a PowerPoint Set up room Distribute name badges Create an informational piece that can be given to participants. Discuss the use of a newsletter to better connect and organize church efforts in the community

Hold a news conference and issue a press release to raise awareness for the furniture drive and community pick-up day event that will advertise the furniture bank in general

Call and email media representatives/media advisory Contact previous clients and see if anyone is willing to write a testimonial, be contacted by media about their experience or attend the news conference Invite necessary representatives of the furniture bank and cooperative to speak at the news conference

Send out a press release to media unable to attend the news conference

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Tactics Continued

Make current page on the First Methodist site more visually interesting Create a website that will include information such as the furniture banks mission, goals, needs and information on how to help

Include information online letting people know that drivers are needed and who they can contact if they are interested in volunteering Add information online to let interested parties know why the furniture bank needs donations and how to donate

Ghost-write an article/ opinion column to send to local newspapers

Create brochures, flyers and business cards that include information about the furniture bank, i.e., the cause, needs, contact information, etc.

Distribute flyers with information about the furniture bank services for the furniture drive at local businesses and furniture stores, i.e., Furniture Row, Furniture1 and La-Z-Boy, Lehnens and Andersen Furniture

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Costs:

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Description of Project
250 Words or Less (use a separate sheet if needed) We would like to help launch the First Methodist Furniture Bank. The furniture bank is a warehouse that stores donated furniture and forwards those furniture donations to other local nonprofit agencies who can then provide them at no charge to local families in need. We would like to implement a public relations campaign that will help the furniture bank to increase its donations and volunteers. We would also like to make an effort to raise money for the furniture bank that would be applied to the purchase of mattresses for families in need. This opportunity would not only help a local organization and worthy cause, but would also help our student team to learn about public relations through a unique hands-on experience. To do this, we propose to create a news conference, utilize news media, create information packets for media, create brochures and business cards and create signage for a furniture drop-off event. In addition, we will partner with another class team to create the first county-wide conference of missions representatives. At that conference, we will announce the furniture bank and ask for volunteers and donations. We also will use it as a launching pad to create the countys first e-newsletter for area churches through which to announce service activities and needs of non-profit organizations.

Income of Proposed Budget

List expected revenue for the project (if any) including sources and amounts. Community organizations or agencies receiving the service might choose to participate in the cost of the project or service. (use a separate sheet if needed) A local church will provide in-kind donations of food for the event.

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Expenses of Proposed Budget

Provide an itemized list of the expected expenses by expenditure type that will be charged to this grant. The following items are included as approvable expenditures: publicity, printing, postage, transportation, supplies and materials necessary to complete the project, and minimal refreshment costs where justified as necessary for the service or project. (use a separate sheet if needed)
Printed materials: $700 Tri-fold color brochures Full-page flyers Business cards Press packets Web: $50 Domain name for website Banner with furniture banks logo for news conference and events: $300 Event: $150 Supplies for church event Rental of equipment and Technical support Report: $100 6 final reports printed with campaign summary and references for the furniture bank

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Final Expenses:

Printed materials: $335 Tri-fold color brochures - $302 Flyers (Full with tear offs and double) - $33 Business cards - Donated by Food Finders group $36

Banner with furniture banks logo for news conference and events: $165

Report: Donated by the Food Finders group $82

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Website:

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http://www.fumcwl.org/furniture
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http://www.fumcwl.org/whatweaccept

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http://www.fumcwl.org/furniture4

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http://www.fumcwl.org/getinvolved

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http://www.fumcwl.org/furniture2

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http://www.fumcwl.org/furniture3

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Logo:

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Logo:

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Deliverables:

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Brochure:

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Banner:

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Flyer:

Furniture Drive!
Donate to families in need Sponsored by First Methodist Furniture Bank and Weed & Seed

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Date: Saturday October 27th Drop off: at parking lot on SE corner of 3rd and Cincinnati Arrange for pickup: furniture@fumcwl.org by Friday or call 765-491-1460 on Saturday

After Saturday, call 765-426-1403 or 765-807-1087 For more info contact Jeanne Norberg 765-491-1460, email: jnorberg@purdue.edu

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Flyer:

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Business Card:

Want to donate? Email us at: furniture@fumcwl.org Need furniture? Call 211 or work through one of the social service agencies listed on our website: For more information, contact Jeanne Norberg 765.491.1460

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Church Event:

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Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time. From: missions-bounces@lists.purdue.edu [mailto:missions-bounces@lists.purdue.edu] On Behalf Of Norberg, Jeanne V Sent: Monday, October 22, 2012 3:22 PM To: missions@lists.purdue.edu Cc: Ethan Walter; Erin Mullen; Susan Bonitati; Jasmine Windham; Rachel Camp; Colleen Quinn; Melanie Spitznagel; Jordan Hartig Subject: [Missions] Summary from Sunday's Tippecanoe County on a Mission gathering Thanks all of you who participated in Tippecanoe County on a Mission Sunday at First United Methodist Church. We had a very good turn out. Each church not only shared information about the missions its congregation supports, but some participants also reminded us to honor the dignity of those we serve. Let the individuals we are helping assist as well, whether cooking a community meal or helping with the logistics of a mobile food pantry. There were a few announcements: First United Methodist Church has launched a furniture bank to provide good used furniture at no charge to those in need. Attached is the announcement from the news conference held today to launch the First Methodist Furniture Bank as well as a flyer for a furniture drive planned for Saturday kick off the effort. Please forward both to anyone who may be able to help.

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Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time. Weve been challenged to a competition to see which church can raise the most food Drive Away Hunger food drive for Food Finders Food Bank Oct. 25-Nov. 30. Please join the competition by filling out the attached application form. Instructions also are attached. Lafayette Urban Ministry has stepped up its social media presence and plans to carry news from its church members. Churches then canforward that to their congregations or forward selected sections in their own e-news letters or add items to their bulletins. This will go a long way to helping us all communicate better. I look forward to hearing more specificsfrom Joe Micon, LUMs executive director. You can reach Joe at jmicon@lafayetteurbanministry.org. Congress Street United Methodist Church is looking for help in its effort to provide firewood to those in need as well as help sort through grain leftover from farmers markets and the like. Volunteers identify what can be useful to Food Finders and its agency partners. What am I forgetting? Feel free to chime in! Best, Jeanne Jeanne Norberg First United Methodist Church 765-491-1460 jnorberg@purdue.edu

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News Conference:

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Pitch Make the calls Oct. 10 & 11

Hi my name is Jasmine Windham and I am in Jeanne Norbergs public relations class. I am calling you to invite you to a news conference that will be announcing a major initiative among non-profit organizations serving the low-income residents of Tippecanoe County. The conference will be held on at 1:30 on Oct. 22, 2012. I would like to send the (Journal and Courier/WBAA/ WLFI) additional information. Are you the correct person to send this to? Do I have the correct contact information? (read off email). If it is the right person, email it right away. If it the wrong person, contact the right one and start over. DO NOT leave a message. If they are not there, call back

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JC: Dorothy Schneider, Local Editor: dschneider@journalandcourier.com 765-420-5339

Best times to call: 10-4 Monday-Friday

WBAA Mike Loizzo, news director mloizzo@purdue.edu 765-494-3969

Best times to call: 9-11 and 2-4 Monday-Friday

WLFI Ask the receptionist for the newsroom (not for Jeff Smith). Once you get the newsroom, as for Jeff Smith, news director. This will help you avoid voice mail. News@wlfi.com 463-1800:
Best times to call: 10-11 and 2-4 Monday-Friday

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Media Advisory Templates:

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Template:
Furniture Cooperative
Of Greater Lafayette Making Empty Houses Homes MEDIA ADVISORY Date Contact: Phone: Cell Phone: Email: Title What: When: Why: Who: Where:

The Furniture Collaborative of Greater Lafayette provides good used furniture to Tippecanoe County non-profit service agencies whose clients are in need. It consists of the First Methodist Furniture Bank, Weed and Seed and area social service agencies. ###

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Template:

MEDIA ADVISORY Date Contact: Phone: Cell Phone: Email: Title What: When: Why: Who: Where: The First Methodist Furniture Bank was founded by the First United Methodist Church of West Lafayette, Indiana. The bank provides good used furniture to Tippecanoe County non-profit service agencies whose clients are in need. The bank is also a part of a furniture cooperative that consists of Weed and Seed and area social service agencies. ###

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Media Advisory:

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Oct. 8, 2012 Contact: Jeanne Norberg Phone: (765) 494-2084 Cell Phone: (765) 491-1460 Email: jnorberg@purdue.edu

Announcement of a major initiative to help the Greater Lafayette area. What: News conference When: Monday, October 22, 2012, 1:30p.m. ET Why: To announce a major initiative among non-profit organizations serving the low-income residents of Tippecanoe County. Who: Jennifer Leighton, executive director, Lafayette Transitional Housing Center Jeanne Norberg, First United Methodist Church Adam Murphy, the site coordinator, Weed and Seed Bob Wollenburg, the executive director, Tippecanoe County Chapter of the American Red Cross Where: American Red Cross conference room 615 North 18th Street, Lafayette, Indiana (Howarth Center on 18th Street just south of Union Street) The First Methodist Furniture Bank was founded by the First United Methodist Church of West Lafayette, Indiana. The bank provides good used furniture to Tippecanoe County non-profit service agencies whose clients are in need. The bank is also a part of a furniture cooperative that consists of Weed and Seed and area social service agencies.

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News Release:

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Furniture Cooperative
Of Greater Lafayette Making Empty Houses Homes October 22, 2012 Cooperative formed to provide free used furnishings to disadvantaged Area agencies and a West Lafayette church have joined hands to meet a long-standing need for disadvantaged members of the community. Together they have formed a cooperative to supply free used furniture and household goods for individuals and families getting back on their feet after a fire, unemployment or tragedy. Two downtown warehouses store the donated items until needed. One is operated by First United Methodist Church in West Lafayette (www.fumcwl.org/furniture) and the other is maintained by the City of Lafayettes Weed and Seed program. To kick off the partnership, the group will hold a furniture drive 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (10/27). Used furniture and furnishings can be dropped off at the parking lot at Cincinnati and Third streets just north of the downtown. Donors who need items picked up can make arrangements by e-mailing furniture@fumcwl.org by Friday evening or by calling 765-491-1460 on Saturday. Trucks will by participating agencies and the Coca-Cola Refreshments in Lafayette. After Saturday, donors can leave a message to arrange for a pick at either (765) 426-1403 or 765-807-1087. For the new First Methodist Furniture Bank, members of the congregation pick up donated furnishings with the help of area students. Weed and Seed collects household items and small appliances as well as furniture. Area agencies access the warehouses inventory online and choose the furnishings for their clients.

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Several agencies told us that one of their most critical, unmet needs is furniture, said Jeanne Norberg, who helped start the First Methodist Furniture Bank. The agencies get people back on their feet and into housing, but they have struggled to supply furniture and day-to-day items we all need like sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, dishes, silverware, pots and pans. A community like ours certainly can meet this challenge. We are especially pleased that students have joined the First Methodist effort, including members of the Purdues Glee Club and two fraternities, Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Kappa Tau, as well as members of the West Lafayette football team. Adam Murphy, Weed and Seed site coordinator, has operated his warehouse since 2008. Murphy says, We use donated furniture and household items to outfit new living spaces for the chronically homeless, persons returning from incarceration, and domestic violence victim families. We live in a very generous community, and so what items we have beyond our program needs are made available to other agencies for their clients. Participating agencies agree to share any furniture they may have as well as to direct donors to the First Methodist or Weed and Seed warehouses. Community members in need work through the agencies for assistance. The agencies involved so far include: American Red Cross, Tippecanoe County Chapter Bauer Community Center Family Promise First United Methodist Church Food Finders Food Bank Inc. Lafayette Transitional Housing Center Lafayette Urban Ministry Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County The Salvation Army Wabash Valley Mental Health Center Weed and Seed YWCA Domestic Violence and Intervention Program
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Jennifer Layton, executive director for Lafayette Transitional Housing Center, said the cooperative began quietly accepting furniture in June and already has picked up over 200 items and helped scores of families. Lafayette Transitional Housing helps people who are homeless or in a housing crisis, Layton said. Our first delivery was for an elderly woman who had heart surgery and couldnt be released from the hospital because she didnt have a bed. All she had in her apartment was a lawn chair. More recently, a 7-year-old little girl couldnt stop smiling when she came to pick up her first bed and dresser. She had been sleeping on the floor with all she owned in a box. Bob Wollenburg, executive director of the American Red Cross Tippecanoe Chapter, says his agency often needs furniture to assist clients who lose everything in a fire but its hard to keep up with demand. "This co-operative, led by First United Methodist, enables the Red Cross and other community agencies to do a better job of helping out in an emergency, Wollenburg said. Instead of spending valuable time hunting for furnishings, we can focus on aiding in other ways. Used furniture also can find a home at several other locations that sell items, with the proceeds going to support specific agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and Trinity Mission.

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The main difference, Murphy said, is that these organizations sell donated items to raise money for good causes. The Greater Lafayette Furniture Cooperative directly benefits those who cannot even afford thrift store prices. Area businesses also are stepping up to help, including Lehnens furniture, which has supplied shelving; Magna Dry, which is providing cleaning supplies; and Anderson Furniture Galleries, which is providing at-cost bedding. Our greatest challenge is mattresses and bed frames, Norberg said. Because of concerns about bed bugs, we try to buy new ones and can use financial support toward that. Contacts: Jeanne Norberg, First United Methodist Church: 765-491-1460, jnorberg@purdue.edu Adam Murphy, 765-807-1087, amurphy@lafayette.in.gov Jennifer Layton, executive director, Lafayette Transitional Housing Corp., 765-423-4880, JLayton@lthc.net Bob Wollenburg, executive director, American Red Cross Tippecanoe County Chapter, 765-742 -6975 x2210, bob@lafayetteredcross.org

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Invitations:

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Invitation:
Furniture Cooperative
Of Greater Lafayette Making Empty Houses Homes Mayor John Dennis City of West Lafayette 609 W. Navajo St West Lafayette, Ind. 47906 October 8, 2012 Dear Mayor Dennis, We would like to invite you or your representative to join us at 1:30 Monday Oct. 22 for a news conference to announce the formation of the Furniture Cooperative of Greater Lafayette. The event will take place at conference room of the American Red Cross, Howarth Center, 612 N. 18th St., Lafayette. The cooperative is comprised of the new First Methodist Furniture Bank, Weed and Seed and area social service agencies, who say that used furniture is one of the greatest needs for their clients. Speakers at the news conference are Jeanne Norberg from First Methodist; Adam Murphy, site coordinator for Weed and Seed; Jennifer Layton of Lafayette Transitional Housing Center; and Bob Wollenburg, executive director of the American Red Cross Tippecanoe County Chapter. This information is confidential until the news conference. Please let us know if you can attend by emailing jnorberg@purdue.edu. Sincerely, Jeanne Norberg First United Methodist Church Adam Murphy Weed and Seed

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Invitation:
Furniture Cooperative
Of Greater Lafayette Making Empty Houses Homes Rev. Dan Berger First United Methodist Church 1700 State Road 26 W West Lafayette, IN 47906 October 8, 2012 Dear Rev. Berger, We would like to invite you or your representative to join us at 1:30 Monday Oct. 22 for a news conference to announce the formation of the Furniture Cooperative of Greater Lafayette. The event will take place at conference room of the American Red Cross, Howarth Center, 612 N. 18th St., Lafayette. The cooperative is comprised of the new First Methodist Furniture Bank, Weed and Seed and area social service agencies, who say that used furniture is one of the greatest needs for their clients. Speakers at the news conference are Jeanne Norberg from First Methodist; Adam Murphy, site coordinator for Weed and Seed; Jennifer Layton of Lafayette Transitional Housing Center; and Bob Wollenburg, executive director of the American Red Cross Tippecanoe County Chapter. This information is confidential until the news conference. Please let us know if you can attend by emailing jnorberg@purdue.edu. Sincerely, Jeanne Norberg First United Methodist Church Adam Murphy Weed and Seed

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Invitation:
Furniture Cooperative
Of Greater Lafayette Making Empty Houses Homes Mayor Tony Roswarski City of Lafayette 20 N. 6th St. Lafayette, Ind. 47901 October 8, 2012 Dear Mayor Roswarski, We would like to invite you or your representative to join us at 1:30 Monday Oct. 22 for a news conference to announce the formation of the Furniture Cooperative of Greater Lafayette. The event will take place at conference room of the American Red Cross, Howarth Center, 612 N. 18th St., Lafayette. The cooperative is comprised of the new First Methodist Furniture Bank, Weed and Seed and area social service agencies, who say that used furniture is one of the greatest needs for their clients. Speakers at the news conference are Jeanne Norberg from First Methodist; Adam Murphy, site coordinator for Weed and Seed; Jennifer Layton of Lafayette Transitional Housing Center; and Bob Wollenburg, executive director of the American Red Cross Tippecanoe County Chapter. This information is confidential until the news conference. Please let us know if you can attend by emailing jnorberg@purdue.edu. Sincerely, Jeanne Norberg First United Methodist Church Adam Murphy Weed and Seed

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News Conference Script:

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Script for News Conference:

Furniture Cooperative
Of Greater Lafayette Making Empty Houses Homes To: Adam Murphy, Jennifer Layton, Bob Wollenburg From: Jeanne Norberg Date: October 18, 2012

Thank you for taking time to speak at the news conference launching the Furniture Cooperative of Greater Lafayette, First Methodist Furniture Bank, and the upcoming furniture drive. The news conference will start at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 in the Red Cross conference room. We hope you will invite staff to attend as well to help express their interest. To ensure that our comments do not overlap, I suggest the following topics for each: Jordan Hartig (Student moderator): Will welcome guests and any city officials and then introduce the speakers. Jeanne Norberg (Furniture Bank) Will announce the formation of the Furniture Cooperative of Greater Lafayette and the First Methodist Furniture Bank, explain how they work and suggest how the public can help.

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Moving furniture and lives one donation at a time. Adam Murphy (Weed and Seed) Will announce the furniture drive being held at 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 27). He will identify the agencies that are part of the cooperative, explain how others may join, and explain what part Weed and Seed plays in the cooperative. Jennifer Layton (Transitional Housing) Will give examples of the need and those who have been helped. Bob Wollenburg (Red Cross) Will give examples of the need and urge participation in the furniture drive. Moderator Hartig: After the speakers are finished, she will ask for questions and comments from audience and media. At the conclusion of the news conference: Speakers should plan to make themselves available to the news media should they want individual interviews. Jennifer, if you have a client who might want to talk during the actual news conference, please let me know and we can add him or her. Thank you for your help. I look forward to seeing you Monday. The news release, which you have already reviewed, will be provided to the news media at the time of the news conference.

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Introduction:
Good afternoon and welcome. My name is Jordan Hartig and I will be the moderator this afternoon for this very special news conference. Wed like to share our thanks and appreciation to the Journal & Courier, WLFI and WBAA for being here. We would also like to thank Mayor Tony Roswarski for dedicating his time with us and all of the agencies and guests that join us today. This afternoon, the order of speakers will be as follows: Jeanne Norberg with First United Methodist Church will start us off. Followed by Adam Murphy, Site Coordinator at Weed and Seed, Next will be Bob Wollenburg, Executive Director at the American Red Cross here in Tippecanoe County Jennifer Layton, Executive Director at the Lafayette Transitional Housing Center and Her client Jennifer Faurote and daughter Baylee will wrap things up. After the speakers have finished, I will open up the news conference to questions and comments from the media and audience, followed by one-on-one interviews with the speakers if desired from the media So now let me invite Jeanne Norberg to the podium.

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News Conference
1:30 p.m. 10/22/2012 Red Cross conference room Comments by Jeanne Norberg, First Methodist Church We are here today because of the Can Do spirit and caring hearts of this community. Today we are announcing the formation of the First Methodist Furniture Bank and the Furniture Cooperative of Greater Lafayette. Social service agencies have said for a long time that one of their greatest needs was good used furniture. People who lose their housing through a fire, after they are laid off or in the wake of monumental medical issues also lose their furnishing, what little they may have. If you loose your housing, there is no place to put furniture, so you have to give it away. Area social service agencies work with these individuals to get them back on their feet, back into jobs, back into housing. but the housing is unfurnished. Surely, we said, in a community like ours, we can solve this problem. All we needed was logistics and a cooperative spirit. That spirit formed our Furniture Cooperative and the First Methodist Furniture Bank, two of the three main legs in this effort. The other is Weed and Seed, an agency of the city of Lafayette. The key was that all the agencies in the cooperative now a dozen pledged to help the Furniture Bank and help one another.

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Im going to tell you about the First Methodist Furniture Bank, how it works, who is helping, and what help is still needed. Adam will tell you about Weed and Seed and a furniture drive we have coming up Saturday. Jennifer and Bob are here to talk about the need for the furniture. Jennifer Faurote, who was one of the first recipients of furniture, will talk about her familys experience. The Furniture Bank, is comprised of several sets of volunteers: Since May, we have been picking up donated furniture thanks to the trucks of First Methodist Men The agencies in our cooperative And the muscle of West Lafayette football team and three Purdue groups Alpha Tau Omega Phi Kappa Tau fraternity And the Purdue Glee Club

Coca-Cola Refreshments also is helping for our furniture drive.

We store the furniture in a donated warehouse, where we have fabulous shelving donated by Lehnens furniture First Methodist women inventory the items and post the inventory on line with photos. Agencies then shop on line for the furniture with their clients.

Weve moved 200 pieces of furniture since we started in May. But this is more than just about furniture. We are helping on average 2-3 families a week.

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How can the community help? Donate for the furniture drive Saturday or any time after that. Provide trucks. Provide muscle. Donate money to help buy mattresses. Anderson Furniture Galleries is selling them to us at cost, $64 for a twin. Help spread the word. One of the groups that have stepped up to help with that is a team of students from a PR class at Purdue who have helped put together this news conference and publicity for the furniture drive. A few other points: Any contribution is tax deductible. And I need to make an important distinction: The Furniture Cooperative agencies and the First Methodist Furniture Bank are the only ones that give furniture and household goods away at no charge. There are other organizations in town that accept used furniture and then sell it to raise money for very worthwhile organization such as Habitat, Boys and Girls Club, BBBS and Trinity Missions. Unfortunately, our clients cannot afford even these discounted prices.

Our Furniture Cooperative and the First Methodist Furniture Bank began earlier this year as a leap of faith with the premise that surely, in a community like Lafayette, we can solve this problem. Im please to tell you we are succeeding. Next you will hear from Adam Murphy, site coordinator of Weed and Seed.

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Newspaper Articles:

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WLFI 1:
Church holds furniture-donation drive
Updated: Friday, 26 Oct 2012, 10:26 AM EDT Published : Friday, 26 Oct 2012, 10:26 AM EDT LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Groups in the Greater Lafayette area responding to the need for gently used furniture for the city's less fortunate. The First United Methodist Church and the City of Lafayette's "Weed and Seed" program announced their collaboration to form the "Furniture Co-operative of Greater Lafayette" at the American Red Cross. Organizers say when people donate used furniture, it's put in an online database. Social service agencies can then work with their clients to pick out furniture.. "There are people in this community who have a desperate need for furniture, and agencies who have told us it is their No. 1 need good used furniture, First United Methodist Churchs Jeanne Norberg said. We talked about (it) and we took a leap of faith. (We) said, 'Surely in a community like this we can make this happen,' and today we showed we can do it. The furniture co-operative will hold a furniture drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday at the corner of Third and Cincinnati streets in downtown Lafayette.

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WLFI 2:
The Furniture Co-operative of Greater Lafayette responds to the need for furniture
Updated: Monday, 29 Oct 2012, 10:00 AM EDT Published : Sunday, 28 Oct 2012, 12:11 AM EDT Kelly Roberts LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Truck after truck unloaded couch after chair Saturday at the Furniture Co-operative of Greater Lafayette's first furniture drive. "We had more than 24 locations we went for pickups," Jeanne Norberg with the First United Methodist Furniture Bank said. "People have been dropping things off all morning long." The co-operative combines the efforts of the furniture bank and the City of Lafayette's Weed and Seed program. "We've actually been open since May," Norberg said. "We have our system down and ready, and that's why we had this." All the furniture is put on an online data base. Then, case workers and their clients can search, and pick out their furniture. Jennifer Faurote is a client at Lafayette Transitional Housing, one of the social service agencies involved with the furniture co-operative. Faurote was able to furnish her home thanks to the co-operative. "We were in desperate need because without the couches we have now, we were sitting on the floor," Faurote said. "When we moved up here we didn't have anything. We didn't have our own apartment, or money to get our own apartment. Lafayette Transitional Housing helped with that. Then, we were in need of some furniture, and they helped with that through the furniture bank. We got two couches, a lamp, and a couple of dressers." Faurote saw the need for furniture first hand. Norberg said it's people like Faurote who can bring light to this need. "The co-operative came from a community-wide need," Norberg said. "We sat down and thought, 'How can we solve that?'" "I met a lot of people at Lafayette Transitional Housing, and they were in need of couches, and dressers, and beds, and stuff too," Faurote said. Norberg said the furniture drives will continue a couple times a month. If you want to donate furniture you can call (765) 426-1403 or (765)-807-1087.
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WBAA:
Furniture Cooperative tries to fill empty houses
BY MIKE LOIZZO A new effort in the Lafayette area aims at meeting the basic needs of those who are starting over. The Furniture Bank offers free items to people who lost their possessions in a fire, those who are leaving homelessness or making another transition. Its run by First United Methodist Church and involves the City of Lafayettes Weed and Seed Program and other service organizations. Those seeking furniture will be referred from the partner agencies. Jennifer Layton with Lafayette Transitional Housing says the Furniture Bank solves the problem her staff had with finding acceptable, used items. She says the co-op's website offers pictures and dimensions for clients to select the items they want. Jeanne Norberg with First Methodist says the groups are holding a furniture drive Saturday and not many things will be turned away. "We're not looking for antiques. We're looking for furniture to fill basic needs - couches, tables, dressers, beds." Adam Murphy with Lafayettes Weed and Seed program says about a dozen agencies are involved now.

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WBAA continued:

"And there's more room at the table. If you run a service agency or work at one and think you should be involved with this, contact us. We'd love to have you." The cooperative is holding a furniture drive Saturday, October 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Furniture can be dropped off at the parking lot at the corner of Cincinnati and 3rd streets in Lafayette. Donors who need items picked up can make arrangements by emailing furniture@fumcwl.org by Friday evening or by calling 765-491-1460 on Saturday. More information about the Furniture Bank is HERE.

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Journal & Courier:

Journal & Courier

Furniture bank in Lafayette collecting to help needy

Furnishings will be collected this weekend to help build inventory for a new furniture bank to help area residents in crisis. Representatives from the Furniture Cooperative of Greater Lafayette, a group of social service, faith-based and nonprofit agencies, announced Monday the creation of First Methodist Furniture Bank. It will benefit low-income residents, the homeless or people in crisis. Those in need of furniture can work with member agencies to obtain needed resources at no charge. The furniture will be housed in two downtown locations. The cooperative is hosting a furniture drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot on the southeast corner of Third and Cincinnati streets. For more information visit www.fumcwl.org/furniture

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Newspaper Clippings:

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Future Moves:

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Future Moves:

There were several opportunities that we werent able to accomplish that the organization can focus on in the future. Raise monetary donations for mattresses. Ask locally owned mattress stores to keep and hand out brochures letting people know of the need, and how to donate money for families in need of mattresses. Distribute brochures, flyers and business cards with information about the furniture bank services at local furniture stores, i.e., Furniture Row, Furniture 1, La-Z-Boy, Lehnens and Andersen Furniture. Contact Life Care and Matrix to request that they forward furniture donations that they are unable to store at the Furniture Bank. Obtain reliable volunteers that can do future furniture pick-ups. Work with several local organizations to help move furniture and organize the warehouse. Refine community outreaches by improving and maintaining membership with its current Furniture Cooperative it is a part of and the local area churches involvement.

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Deliverables:
DVD 1: 12:20 Jordan Hartig Jeanne Norberg Adam Murphy

DVD 2: 12:38 Adam Murphy Bob Wollenburg Jennifer Layton

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Deliverables:
DVD 3: 9:01 Media Questions

DVD 4: Photos Church Event Press Conference Furniture Drive

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Meet our Team:

Erin Mullen is a senior at Purdue University majoring in communication, with a specialization in public relations and rhetorical advocacy. She has worked as a public relations and marketing consultant for Kelly's Hair Studio and Serenity Hair Design in Lafayette, Ind. Erin is the director of opportunities for Purdue's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society
Erin MullenProject Manager

of America (PRSSA). Ethan Walter is a senior at Purdue double majoring in political science and public relations and advertisement. He is a native of Lafayette, Ind. and enjoys traveling across the United States taking in the character of the small towns that make up the country. As an avid hiker and nature lover, he has hiked parks such as Yellowstone, Glacier and several Canadian National Parks. He is currently an employee of United Parcel Service Inc., where he hopes to continue his career in public relations after graduation. Jasmine Windham is a senior at Purdue majoring in public relations and advertising. She is currently in her second year as an intern in the Purdue Athletic Promotions Department. Through this internship, she has learned how to develop marketing plans and coordinate promotional events for various sports. After graduation, she hopes to begin a career in sports and entertainment marketing.

Ethan WalterWriter

Jasmine WindhamEditor

Jordan Hartig is a senior at Purdue majoring in public relations and rhetorical advocacy. She has been employed at Vectren Corp. for a year and a half working as a project assistant in their technical training department. With this employment, she has developed a technical training catalog, utilizing design skills along with written and interpersonal communication skills to gather and organize information.
Jordan HartigDesigner 81

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Contact:
Erin Mullen
765.418.3924 erin0287@yahoo.com

Ethan Walter
765.427.3829 walter0@purdue.edu

Jasmine Windham
248.895.5243 jwindham@purdue.edu

Jordan Hartig
812.664.7662 jhartig@purdue.edu

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