GARDENA, Calif. — This holiday season, when the door of a Fernish Furniture truck goes up, it’s ready to be loaded with bedding items to be donated. And leading the way for loading is warehouse manager, Daniel Carr.
“It’s all going to serve the homeless population and just people in need. We’re really excited about the opportunity to donate some things that we have," said Carr.
Now through the end of the year, Fernish is helping address L.A.’s ongoing homeless crisis. For every order that’s placed on Fernish’s website, the company is donating essential bedding material. The company has partnered with local nonprofits like the JEM Community Center and the L.A. LGBT Center on the giveback.
The latest donation is going to People Assisting The Homeless, or PATH. “We’re offering pieces to people that are allowing or putting them in a position that they wouldn’t normally have," said Carr.
The L.A.-based furniture leasing company is a circular economy business. Furniture is created and utilized, then cleaned and refurbished before being ready to go into another home.
According to Fernish co-founder Lucas Dickey, they repeat the cycle as much as possible to mitigate landfill contribution.
“Last year alone, we saved something like 160 tons of furniture going to landfill because of our circular initiatives here with this business," said Dickey.
Fernish is mission-driven, both with the planet, and helping to serve the community they operate in. PATH is a transition-home organization, and through Fernish’s program, essential bedding items will help make someone’s housing at PATH feel a little more comfortable.
“The community we exist within has critical homeless problems and so we want to be able to help as they transition through getting off of the streets for the first time from being unhoused to being housed," said Dickey.
This facility supports 40 people, and PATH service coordinator Derek Charlebois says these donations will help alleviate the stress of furnishing a new home after coming off the streets.
“Folks really do need a home before they are able to get back on their feet. They can’t really keep a job, do all sorts of things, maintain their health, without a home," said Charlebois.
The support from Fernish is helping those at PATH in their journey from being unhoused to housed, and giving is something they plan to continue.
“We’re all involved in helping out and we’re all looking forward to being a bigger part of the community," said Carr.