2. Our Mission
Through the effective reuse of donated items, Bridging improves lives by providing quality furniture and household goods to those transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.

3. Everyone in our community lives in a furnished home.
Our Vision
Everyone in our community lives in a furnished home.

4. Bridging 101

5. Our Story
Founded in 1987
Fran bridged the gap between a furniture donation and a family in need … and just kept going!
More than 90,000 households since 1987
Bridging is built on the values of collaboration, dignity, quality, sustainability, teamwork, and volunteerism
The impact Bridging has made in the lives of local families in need, the environment, and its volunteer community is monumental. Each year, Bridging continues to bring hope and stability to nearly 4,500 local households in need.
Fran Heitzman founded Bridging in 1987 to provide a bridge between those in need, and those with excess. Since the first donated item, Bridging has expanded to serve seven counties in the Twin Cities metro area. Bridging has served more than 85,000 households since 1987.

6. Our Model
More than 1,000 case managers working in a network of 150+ Contracted Agencies refer their clients to Bridging
Join us as a contracted agency!
We’ll send you an agency application, schedule you for a warehouse tour, and get you set-up to schedule your client’s appointments
Existing referring agencies can be found at:

7. What Items Do We Provide?
A basic home set-up generally provides:
Upholstered furniture
Dresser
Kitchen table/chairs
Dishes, utensils, glassware & cookware
Beds, linens and pillows
Lamps and small appliances
Artwork

9. Shopping Appointment

10. Delivery & Pick-Up

11. Fees Appointment Fee: $60 Delivery Fee: $180 Self Pick-Up: No Charge
New Beds are also available
for purchase
Families of 4 receive approximately $1800 in thrift store value items

12. Our Commitment Dignified Shopping Experience
Staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring items must be:
Safe
Clean
In good working condition
Through the efforts of more than 6,000 volunteers each year, and close to 150 social services agencies in the Twin Cities 7-county area, Bridging is able to serve about 14,000 families each year. Like spokes on a wheel, Bridging represents one part of the process for an individual or family to build a fresh start.
At Bridging, it is very important to us that a clients’ experience is dignified from the moment they arrive at our warehouse to the moment their home is furnished with hope.
Our team of staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring the items they bring home are safe, clean and in good working condition. Our team carefully inspects the gently-used donated furniture and housewares when they enter our warehouse so that they meet our quality standard. 

13. Our Impact (2017 Statistics)
4,408
Clients Served
Individuals Served (56% are children under age 17)
12,541
Households with Annual Income Less than $20,000
90%
Donated Furniture
Distributed
14 semi-loads/week
Average Value Per Home (family of 4)
$1,800 value
Service Hours Donated
78,500+

14. Client Survey
“I was homeless and had nothing. Now I have an apartment full of furniture and I could not be more happy.”
97%
Clients who felt we made a positive difference in their life.
98%
“I was greeted immediately and was even offered coffee!”
Clients who felt they were treated with dignity and respect.
98%
“My girls are getting a better night sleep! Which helps them perform better in school.”
Clients who felt welcomed at Bridging
98%
Clients who were satisfied with their overall Bridging experience
“Opportunities for better living. Went from sleeping on people’s couches to having my own couch in my own home.”

15. The Lives We Touch
“Even a pot and a pan—you don’t realize how much it is. When you do it slowly, you accumulate over time.” When you’re forced to leave a domestic situation, you don’t have that luxury.”
“I’ve been dying for a cup of coffee! I finally got a place to live, and I have not been able to have a cup of coffee. I don’t care if it’s just one. I just wanted a cup of coffee in my own home!”
Sometimes we don’t know how a house is supposed to be like. How a homey feel is supposed to be like. Coming home to something like this is so incredible and beneficial.

16. Join Us as a Referring Agency
Benefits:
Schedule your client’s appointments
Delivery option
Monthly agency invoicing
Process:
Complete an agency application
Upon approval, complete a contract
Tour & AppointmentQuest training

17. Thank you! Stay in Touch! BRIDGING.ORG BRIDGING.ORG ROSEVILLE
1730 Terrace Drive
Roseville, MN 55113
BLOOMINGTON
201 W 87th Street
Bloomington, MN 55420
BRIDGING.ORG