American Freight Helps Local Foundation Provide Furnishings for Families*

September 2, 2024  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The furniture provided a dramatic change for the family of four, who had been sleeping on air mattresses in a shelter for women and children of domestic violence.

According to the article, “Almost all of the new furniture had been purchased for the family by the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation, through the Hands Up To Succeed program.”

“Other items, including the artwork on the wall, the bedding and even the large television set, had been provided by donors to the HUTS program.”

Mom & girls were overwhelmed by the home and furniture. Having come to Owensboro from a nearby state, they hadn’t brought much with them.

Fleeing a domestic violence situation, they had tried several shelters before finding one that had room for her and her daughters. She had $40 in her pocket, some clothes and their TV. They came with what they could fit in their car.

According to the article, “The program started for Mom and her daughters, on Wednesday, when they were taken by a limo from Limos By Knight to the Holiday Inn downtown. The hotel provided the room lunch, while other meals were arranged by the foundation.”
“The furniture was delivered Thursday by American Freight, the washer and dryer were purchased from sponsor Murphy Appliance and Electronics, and the family’s house was arranged and decorated by volunteers.”

This home was the 80^th home furnished through the program, said Alma Randolph Crump, who created the foundation. The organization buys furniture from sponsors like American Freight at a discount, an area church provides most of the children’s beds and bedding, and other assistance comes from churches and businesses.

According to Crump, “If the items had been purchased at full price, the cost would have been around $12,000. When HUTS was formed we did two homes. Now, the organization furnishes about nine-ten homes annually.”

The mission of the foundation was originally to provide clothes for children who needed them, but in 2016, the mission was expanded, and the HUTS program was launched. The foundation board saw a real need among disadvantaged families for furniture.

“The total shock was the number of children in our community sleeping on floors without beds,” Crump said. “It’s an eye-opening experience to see a family that can never sit down together and have a meal because they don’t have a dining room set.”

The Foundation’s sole fundraiser for the year is the Black and White Gala. This year, the event is scheduled for Oct. 19. The article was originally reported by James Mayse, Messenger-Inquirer Owensboro, KY.

*If you know of an industry company that does work to benefit your community, please pass it on! I would love to tell their story. Karen Parrish, Assistant Editor, HFB News Now, kparrish@hfbusiness.com