CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local rotary club has donated $12,000 worth of bunk beds to a local nonprofit designed to help those moving into affordable housing furnace their new homes.
Beds for Kids said donations were struggling to meet the growing demand for furniture in need.
The nonprofit helping families stay in affordable housing is seeing a huge jump in the need for its services.
Beds For Kids officials said calls for help have grown by more than half, but the rise in donations is hovering around 5 percent.
Priced Out Of Charlotte - Queen City struggling with affordable housing
Co-founder Daniel Fogarty said the nonprofit helps families turn houses into homes.
“We do upholstered furniture for families, kitchen tables, chairs, beds,” Fogarty said.
The nonprofit works with 28 referring agencies to supply not just beds but all essential furniture to those moving into affordable housing.
[ [RELATED: Affordable Housing Crisis special section] ]
It’s a life-changer for the families.
“When you hear someone say, ‘I've never had one of these,’” Fogarty said. “Seven, 8, 10, 12 years old and a mom says, ‘I haven’t slept in my own bed in 10 years.’ Those are things we hear regularly.”
Fogarty said the need is on the rise and they've seen a significant increase and it's growing.
“We're up 54 percent families served in 2018 versus this time in 2017,” he said.
That's 114 more families this year than last, but funding is only up 5 percent.
He believes that for Charlotte to rise out of its affordable-housing crisis, everyone must take action to help.
“To be able to go from a shelter system to a place they call home, and that family gathers together that's where we see magic happen,” Fogarty said.
The cost to fully furnish a home is $450.
They charge the small fee to the families because he said it is dignifying, eliminating pity and creating a two-way street.