The Sharehouse - Seattle's furniture bank for homeless families in transition

Success Stories

What does a couch and a TV mean to you?
Recently an older gentleman from one of our client agencies received an almost new couch that had been donated by The Bon department store. He looked at the couch, sat down and started to cry. "You know, for the past twenty years, all I have wanted is to lay down and put my feet up on my own couch and watch my own TV in my own place," he said, "and today I'm walking out with a new couch and a big TV. Please tell the people that donated that I really appreciate it."

An angora wool blanket makes a full circle!
A woman donated a 20-year-old angora wool blanket to The Sharehouse. "This blanket has lots of memories from my travels in Guatamala," she told us, "and I'm glad that it's going to someone that will need it." Today a group of refugees from Central America came through our warehouse. One of the clients, a single man, was given a single bed, night stand, and lamp for his new apartment. Our Operations Manager also gave him the wool blanket. "Even though he couldn't speak any English, I could see that he recognized the blanket as something from home."

Each year, people give The Sharehouse enough furniture and housewares to fill 3-1/2 football fields! Little miracles like this happen everyday, thanks to all of you who support our program. Thank you!

Thank you letters to The Sharehouse
(These letters are on file in our office; agency and client identities are masked here.)

Dear Friends,
Imagine arriving from war-torn Bosnia with your wife and 6-month-old baby. You each bring a suitcase full of clothes and a lifetime of nightmares with you. An apartment awaits you in Tukwila, but its unfurnished; you have no money; you speak no English. Where do you begin?

Fortunately, this family was able to turn to The Sharehouse. They received a bed, a couch, a table and chairs, bedding, dishes and a lamp. All donated by people in Seattle and King County who recognize how richly they've been blessed. Once again, The Sharehouse assisted in the resettlement of another family seeking refuge in our country. This is not an isolated incident, but a story we see repeated again and again in our agency.

I cannot thank the Church Council of Greater Seattle enough for seeing a need and stepping in to fill it. Thank you for the staff at The Sharehouse who is caring and gracious to all who visit.

God bless you all.
Sincerely;
P.S. and B.P.

I am writing in regards to The Sharehouse in Seattle. I was given the opportunity to visit their warehouse and find things I needed for a new apartment, which of course entails everything that doesn't move.

I was able to get a gorgeous couch, end table, lamp and a TV stand. I was given linens, soap, shampoo, and two feather down comforters. I am very grateful for the great goodies I found, but my letter has a second reason for being written.

I would like to thank your crew for being so kind and helpful. I've been to other places that make you feel lower than dirt. I was greeted with a huge smile. I am disabled and I tend to have panic attacks in unfamiliar places, but when you greeted us I was at ease. These ladies deserve a huge pat on the back for being such caring people. Thank you for such an opportunity to get a fresh start.

Yours truly,
S.C.

Top of page

© 2000-2010 The Sharehouse ~ 5706 Second Ave S ~ Seattle, WA 98108
Phone 206.767.5280 ~ Fax 206.767.5855
Email SharehouseInfo@thechurchcouncil.org

THE SHAREHOUSE Turning Housing into Homes

Success Stories

THE SHAREHOUSE
Turning Housing into Homes