About a year ago, Amanda Reilly-Sokoli and her husband, Pashk Sokoli, first attended a Together Initiative Network (TIN) meeting at The Factory Ministries as representatives of Pennsylvania Furniture Mission, a nonprofit entity they founded in Columbia with the goal of helping families and individuals experiencing economic hardship or exiting homelessness to furnish a home.

The couple was interested in attending the TIN meeting after getting acquainted with representatives of The Factory Ministries when both organizations received a Level Up and Launch Grant from the United Way at the same time. "We got to know The Factory Ministries and build a relationship with them," said Amanda. "It's all about relationship."

Developing relationships with faith-based organizations and other nonprofits in the Pequea Valley area has become one of the goals of the mission. "We would love to build relationships with churches who could send families to benefit from the program," said Amanda, who added that church members will also have opportunities to donate furniture or money, or to volunteer. "We have lots of things to do here and lots of ways people can give back," she added. "We would love to have a volunteer in our office answering phones and sharing with donors about the items we can receive and the protocol for donations when they call or answering questions from churches and nonprofits that call."

Another need is for a second truck so that more pickups and deliveries can be accomplished."There's so much need and so much furniture," said Amanda. "If there's anybody downsizing their business with a truck to donate, we would love to dialogue about how to receive that truck." The mission serves five counties in addition to Lancaster, meaning that pickups of donations and deliveries to clients can take personnel about an hour away in each direction from the organization's 341 Chestnut St., Columbia, headquarters. "We set up a route based on that county for that day, and we try to do all pickups and deliveries in that area," Amanda said.

According to Amanda, gently used mattresses without stains or tears are highly prized by the mission. "We use a medical-grade sanitizer on upholstered furniture and mattresses," she said, noting that people should not assume mattresses and box springs are trash. She pointed out that guest bed mattresses and those left when a child goes to college or when a family downsizes may have a place in the mission warehouse.

Amanda and Pashk were working for separate nonprofits in Chicago when they decided to combine their skills and passions and return to Amanda's home state to open the furniture bank. "There's a huge need in Lancaster County and surrounding areas, and there are also folks who can donate," said Amanda. "To have a successful furniture bank, you need to have the ability to source the furniture and have the monetary resources," she continued, adding that part of the Pennsylvania Furniture Mission model is to hire from referral partners to try to provide job opportunities. Book Freeman, who works in the mission warehouse, said that he prefers the job over any other he has had. "It doesn't feel like work," said Freeman. "Seeing people's reactions (when they receive furniture) is so rewarding."

Because of their past experiences - Pashk was homeless in Albania and Amanda moved to Chicago with a car full of belongings, but no furniture when starting out - the pair wants to help clients whatever their circumstances. "People come from different places and experiences," explained Amanda. "We are here to support people and meet them wherever they are."

In the Pequea Valley area, the mission works closely with Bethany Miller and Mike Lewis at The Factory. Amanda recalled when a Factory client needed to get back on his feet, he was amazed by the choice model the furniture bank offers. "Being able to choose the furniture was huge," she said, adding that the client made a connection with Pashk over shared experiences.

The mission is also in need of space. From the organization's 2,000-square-foot showroom, clients may receive only enough to fill a bedroom or enough furniture for an entire home, plus a box of kitchenware. The additional 5,000 square feet of warehouse space in their current warehouse is not enough. "We will soon need additional warehouse space, so if someone has some space, and they would like a tax write-off for supporting a nonprofit that's doing a lot of good, (they can contact us)," Amanda said.

Readers who would like more information about the mission may visit http://www.pennsylvaniafurnituremission.org or call 717-813-2452.