‘We want to turn empty houses into homes’

Community Warehouse Project collects furniture for those in need

DOWNINGTOWN » A local grassroots, all-volunteer organization is tasked with keeping fewer Chester County residents from sleeping on the floor, while ensuring those in new living situations have plates to eat on.

Since a November startup, the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County has outfitted about 25 families with beds, chairs and dressers.

The group connects through service agencies and works directly with case workers, said Catherine Friedman, board member and executive director of Friends Association.

Volunteers seek quality and gently used furniture, especially twin and full beds with frames.

Board member Eric Rosle looked around at the warehouse packed with furniture and household items.

“When an agency brings in a client to the warehouse, they pick to what fits their taste, their space and the needs of their family,” Rosle said.

Pat Bokovitz, director of Chester County’s department of community development, said that often those receiving donations are experiencing a new living situation, have nothing and need furniture.

Friedman said that residents are reestablishing their lives.

“People are helping to get people on a limited income back into homes,” Friedman said. “It’s one less cost and helps them get back on that road faster.”

Board Secretary Mary Latoff said the organization supplies basic needs with a goal of establishing self-sufficient residents.

Board member John Lilley said Community Warehouse Project furnishes pots and pans for those in a new living situation, which “makes a huge impact on the next step of their lives.

“We all have too much stuff we don’t need.”

Donate, Lilley said, and

it can have a “huge impact” on other people’s lives.

“We don’t want people sleeping on the floor,” Executive Director Glenda Brion said. “We want to

turn empty houses into homes.”

The warehouse space was donated by builders Eli Kahn and Adam Loew.

The warehouse has an urgent need for beds, bed frames, sofas, chairs, dressers, kitchen table chairs, end tables and house hold supplies, but no clothing.

Volunteers are sought, especially those who can deliver furniture. The West Chester Rotary is a community partner and Rotary members regularly volunteer.

The warehouse is open on the third Saturday of the month, by appointment only. Go to the website at

www.communitywarehouseproject.com to set up a time to donate and for full instructions.

It is best to send a photo of goods designated for donation.

The Community Warehouse Project is 501(c)3 charity and donations are fully tax deductible.

BILL RETTEW JR. – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The all-volunteer Community Warehouse Project is collecting furniture and household goods to make empty houses into homes. Pat Bokovitz, left, Catherine Friedman, Glenda Brion, Mary Latoff, Eric Rosle and John Lilley are all lending a helping hand.

BILL RETTEW JR. – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Chairs donated to Community Warehouse Project await new homes.