The Furniture Bank, a Houston charity that provides free furniture and other household items to the needy, has received a big helping hand from a Dallas-based private philanthropic institution. A $76,400 grant from the Meadows Foundation means the financially strapped organization can continue serving the clients of many Harris County social agencies.

Furniture Bank executive director Oli Mohammed said the Meadows grant, along with other funds raised since February, "moves us closer to our board's goal of achieving the status of an independent nonprofit." The grant assures continued operation through 2004.

Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County sponsored the Furniture Bank until February, when budget cuts forced it to reduce financial support. MHMRA continued to provide utilities, maintenance and insurance for the Furniture Bank's donated building at 6300 Bowling Green.

"We are the last step in the rehabilitation process for MHMRA (and other agencies such as Children's Protective Services and Star of Hope). After they find people a place to live, we give them furniture and other household items they need," Mohammed said. "We help about 1,000 families a year through 42 member agencies."

Furniture donations are plentiful and always welcome, but a small staff limits the requests for help that can be handled. The Furniture Bank's annual operating expenses total $400,000, so fund-raising efforts are ongoing.

Friday, in addition to the first grant, a matching grant for $50,000 in 2004 was offered by the Meadows Foundation, established in 1948 by Algur H. and Virginia Meadows.

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

Paper: Houston Chronicle
Date: Mon 07/21/2003
Section: Houston
Page: 12
Edition: 3 STAR