Bethlehem, New York

Established July, 2023

We’ve seen a noticeable slowdown since March of 2025. With current government policies creating uncertainty, many people seem more cautious about seeking assistance.

Who We Are

Two sisters and a brother-in-law. We are currently three volunteers, seniors ourselves but still working, who are helping local agencies that need furnishings or home essentials for their clients. My name is Susan Metcalf and I am volunteering with my sister and brother-in-law Linda and Guy Coolen. I am a librarian, Linda is the after-school site director at the Albany JCC, and Guy is a handyman. We started this family effort in July and it instantly felt right; we're passionate about it . There also seems to be a great need and we as a community could help bridge some of these gaps.

What We Do

When one of the local social services agencies contacts us, we get a description of of the need and who it is for and then we go searching Buy Nothing Bethlehem, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or other social media sites looking for free, gently used furnishings or home essentials.

The community response has been amazing. Within the first 3 weeks, a client went from basically a roof over their head and a bed to a fully furnished apartment. We then posted for and picked-up coffee makers, fans, air conditioner, office chair, and two recliners just to offer a few examples.

Thanks to - click here

This is just the beginning of something good.

Unloading truck -- half way point

How to Reach Us

The volunteer monitoring this site currently is: susancarolmetcalf@gmail.com

HOW YOU CAN HELP

TIPS TO CONSIDER

WHEN GIFTING

REVOLVING NEEDS LIST

Please gift only items you might consider gifting to a family member or friend in need. We are not looking for "better than nothing" items. - Thank you.

Gently used items that you can think about gifting when the need arises. We have very limited storage space.

Major needs: (frequent needs are underlined below)

Small kitchen tables and chairs for two to four
Side tables, coffee tables, night stands
Smaller dressers, chest of drawers
Table lamps and floor lamps
Flatscreen TVs (medium sized) with remote (batteries in remotes appreciated)
small bookcases
fans

Kitchen needs

These would have to be coordinated as we can't drive around picking up individual kitchenwares. Ideally you are downsizing/ moving and have multiple items to gift.

Toasters/Toaster Ovens
Countertop Microwaves
Silverware/Dishes/Glasses/Cups
Coffee makers (new at this point); tossed too many
Pots and pans
Other useful kitchen items

See some examples of already gifted items now tracked in FB Group

When making an offer, please provide photos and for lamps, small kitchen tables, end tables
These new homes/apartments are small so the furniture needs to fit
The volunteers are older so lighter items are better
We do need to cut back on the time we spend driving around collection items and you can help by:
- Being local yourselves to reduce distance driving. Let us know the town you're in, the closer the better (ideally Bethlehem, NY area).
- Being willing to deliver items to the volunteers - email me with BB DELIVERY in email subject line if interested.
- Having multiple items for pickup
- Being very clear about your address, apt. building #
- Being patient as these efforts take some coordinating amongst multiple parties.

Items we need to avoid

large or heavy items
any furniture with glass
sofas of any kind
beds, bed frames, mattresses
light colored or flowered furniture
leather furnishings
furnishings from homes with smokers
furnishings not in the local area
furnishings beyond lightly damaged, scratched
very dated furnishings
items that need to be picked up immediately
small, single item pick ups unless we're in the area already

Finally:

There are logistics involved, from posts, texts, PM's and emails to planning pick-ups and deliveries that involve local social service agencies, you, us and the client/neighbor. Your patience is appreciated. Often we can get the person in need items within the week and even within 24 hours when all goes smoothly.

SSome people have offered cash instead of donations so we've set up a Gofundme page in order to collect funds to buy items not readily available for free. These items will be purchased at low cost from community sites as able and new if necessary (FBMP, CL, etc.)

Others have offered giftcards to local stores and these cards have been delivered to the local agencies for distribution. Thank you!

The link below is for people who want to support this grassroots effort, but live far away or do not have gently used furniture or other items to offer.

DONATE ($)

FDR, his loving companion and Susan in Washington, D.C., July, 2023

Created July, 2023; I try to updated monthly. Our FB Group page is active weekly. See link near top of page and join us!

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