Orginally published Nov. 19, 2020, on chron.com at https://tinyurl.com/538et35b.
By Roy Kent
Staff writer
A child living in poverty may find a cold hard floor is the only place to sleep each night and too many children in the greater Houston region are in this predicament.
With that in mind, Houston Furniture Bank — with the help of numerous major local furniture retailers — is working to at least get children from sleeping on cold floors at this time of year. The “No Kids on the Floor — Bedding Drive” initiative has already kicked off and runs through Dec. 17.
“Furniture is essential to a healthy life. Children who sleep on the floor because they don’t have a bed to sleep on are unable to get a good night’s rest and this negatively impacts their day-to-day life, including their school readiness,” said Oli Mohammed, executive director at Houston Furniture Bank, in a news release. “We are incredibly grateful to all our partners for their continued commitment to the families and individuals we serve. With their help, and the support of our generous community, we will provide warm pillows, blankets, and more to children who need them right now!”
The drive is being conducted in conjunction with Ashley Home Store, Mattress for Less, Landmark Furniture, Elizabeth Cole Design Furniture Decor, Laura U Design Collective, The Arrangement, James Craig Furnishings, American Society of Interior Designers Texas Gulf Coast, Stetzer Builders and MM Lighting.
According to the release, “it is estimated that 300,000 children sleep on the floor each night” in the region.
Poverty in the greater Houston region is a growing problem, according to Washington think tank Economic Innovation Group. The group reported that the Houston region is second only to Detroit when it comes to poverty rates increasing in various census tracts. In a report released earlier in 2020, Economic Innovation Group said that “the poverty rate rose above 30 percent in 2018 from less than 20 percent in 1980” in newly poor census tracts.
The “No Kids on the Floor — Bedding Drive” provides bedding for children who need it. The initiative was first introduced in 2019. The area furniture stores will serve as drop off sites for Houstonians wishing to contribute to the holiday fundraiser. Area residents are asked to drop off new bedding materials — including sheets, blankets, pillows, and comforters — at one of 33 locations across the region until Dec. 17. To find a dropoff location, go to https://tinyurl.com/y65wklx4.
Bedding donations can also be shipped directly to either Houston Furniture Bank location for those who prefer to purchase online. Houston Furniture Bank has locations at 8220 Mosley Road, Houston, TX 77075; and at 295 Sawdust Road, Houston, TX 77380.
Monetary donations can also be made to Houston Furniture Bank. Every $150 donated allows Houston Furniture Bank to provide a new bed to a child in need.
In Houston, the Houston Furniture Bank works with more than 45 social service partner agencies to provide essential furniture to families in need. The Houston Furniture Bank serves families affected by poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, mental and physical health concerns, and disasters. In 2019, it served more than 2,000 families. Following Hurricane Harvey, Houston Furniture Bank provided furniture assistance to more than 3,500 families affected by the storm.
For more information go to https://houstonfurniturebank.org.
Houston Furniture Bank Executive Directer Oli Mohammed is a driving force for the “No Kid On The Floor” initiative.
Alex Meyer / Houston Chronicle
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