Earlier this month, AGAPE & DIG Furniture Bank staff attended the 2025 Furniture Bank Conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by A Wider Circle of Silver Spring, Maryland. The event brought together representatives from 30 states who are committed to furnishing homes, and hope, for neighbors starting over after homelessness, domestic violence, or hardship.
“We left inspired by the collaboration and commitment of so many organizations doing this life-changing work,” said Karla Alexander, Executive Director at AGAPE. “But most importantly, we left even more committed to supporting each other especially our local partner, DIG Furniture Bank, whose team is making a real difference right here in our region.”
DIG Furniture Bank provides essential household furniture – beds, dressers, kitchenware, tables, and more – to individuals and families referred by local service agencies. AGAPE is a proud partner to DIG and shares in their belief that every person deserves a functional, safe, and welcoming home.
According to the 2025 National Household Furniture Poverty Survey, conducted by A Wider Circle:
- 32% of Americans are currently living without one or more essential household items.
- 2 in 10 households lack enough beds for every person to sleep on.
- 7 in 10 people living in furniture poverty experience sleep disruptions, emotional stress, and pain from inadequate living conditions.
But there is hope. Follow-up surveys show that after receiving furniture:
- 9 in 10 recipients feel more comfortable in their homes.
- 8 in 10 report better mental health, improved stability, and a higher quality of life.
- 7 in 10 parents say their children’s well-being improved significantly.
“Furniture isn’t just ‘stuff,’” said Karla Alexander, “It’s the foundation for stability, health, and dignity. When families sleep in beds instead of on the floor, gather at a table, or store clothing in a dresser, it changes everything.”
How You Can Help
AGAPE encourages community members to support this important cause by donating gently used furniture to both AGAPE and DIG Furniture Bank. To learn more about DIG’s services and how to donate, visit https://www.digfb.org. For more on the national effort to end furniture poverty, visit https://furnishtogether.org.
Together, we can ensure that every home is a place of peace, pride, and possibility.
