Tammy and Seth Myers opened their nonprofit, Compassion Furniture, in December 2018. Since then, the couple have helped provide over 1,540 pieces to families across Fairfield and Pickaway County. The Myers were inspired to open Compassion Furniture Bank after volunteering to donate beds at a local church program. Compassion Furniture provides furniture to families living in Fairfield and Pickaway counties at no cost to 25 to 30 once a month.  

The process is simple. Families that come to the bank can pick out five pieces of furniture and volunteers will then deliver and assemble the pieces about a week later. The pieces usually include a bed, a kitchen table, four chairs, a couch, a dresser and an end table or coffee table. 

Most of the clients are found through Fairfield and Pickaway county organizations, such as Haven House. Haven House is a domestic violence and women’s shelter, they try to find permanent housing for their residents. Both Haven House and Compassion Furniture Hank have very similar clientele and strive to make their lives a little easier by helping them out through hard times.  

Compassion Furniture Bank runs entirely off furniture and monetary donations. Beds are the most requested furniture piece.  

When asked what is the most rewarding part of the process? Tammy replies seeing the joy on the client’s face.   

Photo by George Shillcock 

“You get that little kid who comes up and hugs you, ‘Oh, thank you for my bed! Thank you for my bed!’” Tammy says. “They get so excited and you’re just like, ‘Oh, this is why I do this.’ It’s so rewarding and just melts your heart.” 

The six steady volunteers at the bank help inspect, clean, move and deliver the furniture. The volunteers can also be found assisting customers in the shop.  

“It’s hard work,” says Tammy, who works 70 hours a week between her full-time job and the nonprofit. “We get tired … [but] we get a lot out of it to make a difference in someone’s life.” 

Photo by George Shillcock 

The furniture of Compassion Furniture Bank is housed in a refurbished green barn off of route 22. All 2,400-square-foot of the barn is put to use and the inventory cycles out almost every two weeks.  

If you’re interested in donating furniture call the number listed below or visit Compassion Furniture Bank’s donation page.  

Compassion Furniture Bank  (740) 207-1528 

Address: 9800 U.S. Route 22 East, Stoutsville 43154