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Purpose with Mark Bertrang, Ep.# 151 "The Exchange-La Crosse Area Furniture Bank" - Sarah Gebo, Guest
Manage episode 411355388 series 2796970
Mark Bertrang interviews Sarah Gebo, the Program Director of ”The Exchange” the La Crosse Area Furniture Bank.
The Exchange provides donated furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. It is driven by volunteers and donations of basic household goods and gently used furniture from the community.
The team of volunteers carefully inspect the donations when they enter the warehouse so that they meet our quality standard.
00:00 Introduction
1:47 Sarah Gebo’s First Donation
4:50 Philosophy, Vision, Goals of ‘The Exchange’
6:02 The Team
7:37 Clients and The Exchange Network
10:30 What items we are looking for?
14:16 Why the donations are important
16:48 Volunteer Backgrounds
18:07 How did The Exchange start?
(18:30 Podcast Pause)
23:10 Client Referrals
27:20 Community Support
29:05 Do Not Donate List
(29:31 Investment’s Don’t Hug Book)
32:28 How to Volunteer
35:37 Funding ‘The Exchange’
38:22 How to Donate
42:08 Conclusion
The Exchange partners with social service/community advocates to identify and accompany recipients in need. Recipients must have a confirmed residence before they come to ‘shop’ at The Exchange. Once an appointment is made, the recipient and advocate are invited to select essential household items, free of charge, to furnish their home. At The Exchange, it is very important that each clients’ experience is dignified from the moment they arrive at the warehouse to the moment their home is furnished.
If needed, The Exchange even delivers furniture to the recipient.
The Exchange was founded and coordinated by 4 women. In the first 5 years they grew their regular volunteer base to over 65.
Here's their website -
https://www.theexchangelacrosse.org/
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