The Furniture Bank will still be open Monday to Houstonians struggling to acquire basic household items such as tables, dishes and beds.

Because of budget reductions, Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, which has sponsored the Furniture Bank for a decade, had set Friday as the deadline for the organization either to raise $75,000 in operating funds or close its doors. Staff cuts, financial support by concerned citizens and pledges from several organizations will help the nonprofit program operate for another six months.

After the Furniture Bank's plight was reported on several local television stations and in the Feb. 11 Houston Chronicle, checks in amounts ranging from $5 to $5,000 began arriving in the mail, according to general manager Oli Mohammed. Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian oil drilling company with offices in Houston, donated $10,000.

By the Friday's deadline, checks totaling nearly $25,970 were deposited. Cort Furniture Rental issued a $25,000 guarantee and is sponsoring a fund-raising event May 8 with Houston Apartment Association, Sentenel Systems Inc. and MoveforFree.com. The show of community support convinced MHMRA to continue its sponsorship until September, Mohammed said.

The Furniture Bank, 6300 Bowling Green, works with 42 social service agencies to provide donated furniture and household items free to the needy. Fund-raising efforts to meet the annual budget of $415,000 are continuing, as are plans to establish the Furniture Bank as a separate nonprofit agency.

For information, access www.fb-houston.org or call 713-876-7245.

Paper: Houston Chronicle
Date: Sat 03/21/2003
Section: Houston
Page: 7
Edition: 2 STAR