Registration is now open for the 2026 Furnishing the Future. Enjoy great food, drinks, community, and connection — all while helping us provide essential furniture and household items to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. This annual event brings together passionate people committed to turning empty spaces into homes.

We’ll share inspiring stories, highlight the impact of our work, and offer opportunities to get involved or give back at Knapp Creek Event Center (195 1st St, Walford, IA 52351). Doors open at 5:30PM.

We’re looking forward to hosting live music, plenty of space to browse our upcycled shopping corner, a dessert pull, the supporter-favorite Pick-a-Plate game, and a few other surprises for our guests! Tickets are $50 per person and include two drink tickets and a taco bar for guests to enjoy.

For our first and inaugural Volunteer Spotlight, we will be giving a round of applause to the very FIRST volunteer, Susan Johnston! Susan started Central Furniture Rescue on September 4th, 2019, from her garage. She had already retired, but if you know her, you know she can’t be bored. She saw a need and decided she was the one to fill it.

With the help of a small band of determined volunteers, she made it happen. Seven years and 6 buildings later, here we are! Since she started, CFR has helped over 4,000 households, over 9,000 people, of which half are children. She is our rock, and we wouldn’t be what we are without her. We congratulate Susan, and if you see her, you should too!

CFR continues to have unique ways to volunteer. We are always looking for volunteers with various administrative skills, like data entry and data management. As we begin this next chapter, our opportunities may grow and evolve too. Follow us on social media for all of the latest. If you have a group, reach out via our website as projects vary. We ask that all groups either hold a small household item drive or a fundraiser prior to volunteering.

Stuff Etc. has been working with community-based organizations for years. We have partnered with them to receive 50% of all sales of items brought in and placed on our account. They take a lot of what we can’t, like larger furniture, mirrors, paintings, and clothing. If you tell them it’s for us, we get a check. It’s that simple!

RoundUp is a secure way for you to round up your purchases to benefit CFR. You simply visit our dedicated site, connect your Visa or Mastercard (or both), and then you can start “rounding up” for CFR! Every 15th, they distribute the funds to us. We try to make supporting us as easy as possible!

CFR can now accept vehicle donations through a third-party nonprofit called CARS. If you have a car that you are thinking about donating, they take care of all of the work. They work directly with you on assessment, transport, and the sale. After the car is gone, they give us a check for 70%, and you get a nice tax write-off. Below is our dedicated site and phone number.

• Vehicle Donation Web Page: https://careasy.org/central-furniture-rescue
• Vehicle Donation Toll-Free Number: 855-500-7433 | 855-500-RIDE

Central Furniture Rescue relies on the generosity of our community to bring hope, stability, and comfort to families in need. If this story touched your heart, please consider supporting our mission. Your financial contribution helps us continue providing essential furniture, household items, and basic necessities to families rebuilding their lives.

You can make an even greater impact by becoming a monthly donor, helping us plan ahead and serve more families consistently throughout the year. Don’t forget to check with your employer—many companies offer corporate matching programs that can double or even triple your gift.

Together, we furnish more than homes—we furnish futures.

Donate today to make a difference. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for helping us turn places to live into homes.