You can make a difference in helping families get back on their feet by donating furniture, appliances, and household goods to Love’s Treasures.

The non-profit, faith-based effort accepts donations — and provides help — Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a location on South Main Street.

“We deal with the items that you would need to set up a household,” said Todd Huff who oversees Love’s Treasures.

Huff took over the household goods function that Love INC (In the name of Christ) had been doing. The ministry is being led by the Crossroads Grace Community Church in partnership with Sequoia Heights Baptist and Southside Christian Church. 

The effort helps an average of six families every week that are transitioning out of homeless shelters into places of their own. All of the help is at no charge.

Huff noted that without efforts like Love’s Treasures, the former homeless that are able to cover the cost of their own shelter and food have little, if any, money left to set up a household.

“They often end up eating and sleeping on the floor,” Huff said.

The organization will also help those struggling to make ends meet when an appliance such as refrigerator fails. In those cases, they are referrals through Love INC that does a screening and determines how much such a household can afford — such as $25 for a refrigerator. The money is used to help the ministry obtain other needs for those in even more dire straits.

Love’s Treasures will also assist those who are homeless and are waiting to get into a shelter such as HOPE Family that puts a roof over their head for three to four months while working with them to arm them with the skills to stay off the street. In more than a few cases, staying at HOPE Family Shelter and Raymus House allows those who find themselves homeless with children for a variety of reasons even though they are working to save money for the first month’s rent and security deposit.

In many cases that involves providing inflatable mattresses and things such as camping stoves.

The biggest need that Love’s Treasures has is for beds and refrigerators.

Huff encourage those who are remodeling, down-sizing, or just re-organizing to consider donating new or gently used items.

The need includes beds, frames, bedroom furniture, couches, dressers, chairs, lamps, rugs, linens, kitchen tables, appliances, pots, pans, coffee pots, microwaves, camping stoves, dishes, glassware, flatware, bathroom, supplies, towels, cleaning supplies, mops, and such.

 Several companies including Costco provide Love’s Treasures with returned furniture and overstock items.

Huff said they are looking for donated warehouse space of 3,000 to 4,000 feet as they are currently operating out of truck trailer boxes. Volunteer help as well as monetary donations are appreciated.

For more information contact Huff at thuff6@comcast.net or call (209) 679-5608.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com