Founder Susan Johnston shares an exciting update as Central Furniture Rescue enters a new season of growth. Beginning May 1st, Rachel Cohen joins CFR as CEO, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit experience in development, public relations, and community partnerships.
Rachel will spend her first months learning CFR’s mission and building relationships, while also beginning the process of hiring an Operations leader to strengthen day-to-day operations. Susan will remain involved through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition and full transfer of knowledge.
As this next chapter unfolds, CFR is focused on building a sustainable future—expanding impact, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to turn a place to live into a home.
Furniture Pickup Options
We now offer two pickup options to better serve our donors and our community:
KJ Haul Away (Paid Service)
- Full-service furniture removal
- Takes almost all items (no sorting needed)
- Faster scheduling options
- Items suitable for CFR are set aside for our clients
- Non-usable items are recycled or responsibly disposed
- A portion of the fee supports CFR’s mission
- Best option for quick, easy, full-service pickup
CFR Volunteer Pickup (Free Will Donation)
- No set cost (donations appreciated)
- Typically scheduled about 2 weeks out
- Items must:
- Fit our mission and quality standards
- Be safe for volunteers to handle
- Be placed in a garage or on a porch
- Limited availability due to volunteer capacity
Not Sure Which to Choose?
- Need fast, full clean-out? → KJ Haul Away
- Have a few items that meet our guidelines and can wait? → CFR Pickup
Beginning May 1st, 2026
This updated process helps us better serve donors, protect our volunteers, and ensure the right items reach families in need.
Your donations help us turn a place to live into a home.
What we do
We collect basic furniture and household items to provide to those transitioning from homelessness into their own homes.
You can help us accomplish our mission by donating money and volunteering your time and talents.
We receive donations of basic furniture and household items, rescuing them from being sent to the landfill. Then we deliver the beds, dressers, kitchenware, etc. to our clients according to their needs, at no cost, to help turn a house into a home.
We receive client referrals from the area homeless and women’s shelters (See Our Partners page for more infomation). Our clients have worked very hard to overcome homelessness and are moving into their own housing.
Success Stories
We are committed to helping people who need it most. Read about their experiences and successes with Central Furniture Rescue.
Amber: The Comforts of Home
With six kids aged 10 and under, Amber has her hands full. She was working with Helping Hands for [...]
Delah
One day Delah packed up and left Chicago, coming to Cedar Rapids looking for a fresh start. With two [...]
Brittany: Our Own Space
From the derecho to the pandemic, this year has thrown Brittany a lot of curveballs. Homeless with three kids [...]
