I am involved with a two-year-old volunteer organization in Pittsburgh called Off the Floor Pittsburgh. It is dedicated to eradicating poverty in the Pittsburgh area by providing the most basic needs of beds, tables, chairs and kitchen utensils to families who are literally eating and sleeping on the floor. I am posting this message to ask for your support. In 2004, a woman felt called to stop her car and offer to help a woman and her two young daughters who were living in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. She discovered that the family had no beds, no tables, no chairs. With the help of a local church, used furniture was collected and given to this family so they could enjoy what most of us consider the basics of living. It soon became clear that there were pockets of poverty everywhere and that there was an immense need for these most basic furnishings. Most of the families on that first desperate street have now been helped by Off the Floor Pittsburgh. As the organization became known, county and private agencies serving the poorest families began referring clients to our attention. In two years, almost sixty families have been helped. So far, more than seventy individuals or families have contributed used furniture, money or time to support this ministry. Off the Floor Pittsburgh organizes convenient pickups and deliveries to the families. Two local storage spaces have been contributed to hold donated items until a complete delivery can be made. Below is a list of furniture and kitchen items which are often needed by families we serve. If you can contribute items on the list, please call 412 531-6227 ext. 220 and leave your name and phone number. A volunteer will call you for further information. If you have time or money to support this organization, we would be grateful for that as well. Off the Floor Pittsburgh is not yet a 501c non-profit organization. But it is managed by the Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church, which is able to provide letters verifying that items have been contributed. You will need to estimate the value of the items contributed yourself. Donation items (in good condition, please) Beds, twin, full or queen and/or sheets, blankets, comforters, pillow cases for the same New pillows End tables/night tables Table or floor lamps Desk Bookcase Kitchen or dining table and/or chairs Baby crib, mattress, mattress pad, sheets, blankets for the same Changing tables, play pens, childs dresser, rocking chair, car seat Towel sets Shower curtains and rings Waste baskets Toasters Coffee makers Sets of matching plates, glasses, mugs, flatware Pots and pans Baking dishes Electric fans Irons and ironing boards Can opener Tea kettle Plastic clothes hangers Cutting knives Thank you for your serious consideration of this request. Joan Morris It is no small accomplishment to reach retirement.