Off the Floor Pittsburgh

No Valentine fundraiser

2012-02-03T18:06:15Z

Unlike previous years, the Board of Off the Floor Pittsburgh decided not to hold this Shadyside event in lieu of other fundrasing efforts.

People helped by Off the Floor Pittsburgh in 2011

2012-01-31T21:04:30Z

In 2011, Off the Floor Pittsburgh delivered significant amounts of used furniture to 112 families and individuals in 37 different zip codes in the greater Pittsburgh area. The families included 191 children. More than half of the families were headed by single parents. 72% of the recipients were African American. All but three of the recipients were referred to OFP by one of the social service agencies that partner with OFP to identify families in special need.

600th family served!

2011-08-25T00:27:32Z

On August 20, Off the Floor Pittsburgh delivered furniture to its 600th family since August 2004. What a wonderful milestone! The back story of some of this season's families includes a woman having back surgery with no bed to come home to; domestic abuse; house fire; mother of two with husband in jail; sincle mother with 2 special needs sons; mold infestation; bed bug infestation.

New Executive Director!

2011-08-19T14:19:05Z

The Board is very happy to announce that Robert Myers, Jr. has accepted the position as Executive Director of Off the Floor Pittsburgh starting August 10. Bob brings to the position 32 years of highly-relevant experience with Salvation Army, including implementing and managing for ten years a furniture donation program to assist fire and disaster victims. His marketing ideas, local contacts, and volunteer management skills will strengthen the ministry. Bob's enthusiasm and energy for Off the Floor Pittsburgh is contagious, and we all look forward to success and expansion in our service to needy families in Allegheny County.

Need for new and gently used bed linens

2011-05-04T13:31:00Z

Off the Floor Pittsburgh desperately needs new and gently used bed sheets, blankets, comfortersand mattress pads in queen, full and twin sizes. No king size, please.

Could you arrange for a linen drive in your church? work place? community center? athletic club?

Call 412 926-5053 to arrange for pick up of items donated.

Needed: regular Friday morning volunteer

2011-05-04T13:26:00Z

Off the Floor Pittsburgh is in great need of a strong volunteer to help move furniture in the warehouse on a regular basis from 9:00-12:00 on Friday mornings. A supervisor will be available. The warehouse is located at 901 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233. If you can help OFP in this way, call 412 926-5053.

Executive Director Job Search

2011-04-27T16:25:00Z

Off the Floor Pittsburgh is looking for a full time Executive Director who can work with volunteers, staff and the Board of Directors; to give direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives. A person who can share the vision and mission of OFP and raise awareness and financial support as well as manage day-to-day operations. A leader who can develop and execute an organizational and financial sustainability plan to establish OFP, ensuring its success for years to come.

A full job description is available on request to offthefloorpittsburgh@gmail.com.

New Pick up and Delivery Team

2011-01-25T18:20:00Z

A new pick up and delivery team has been formed at Allegheny Center Alliance Church. This is the 10th OFP team, and the first one to experiment with mid week trips. Many thanks to Ms. Loleda Moman, Community Resource Ministry Coordinator, who has partnered so successfully with OFP to develop this terrific team.

Off the Floor Pittsburgh Recipients in 59 Zip Codes

2011-01-25T18:05:00Z

As of December 31, 2010, Off the Floor Pittsburgh has delivered used furniture to families and individuals in 59 different local zip codes. More than fifty deliveries have been made in three zip codes: 15110 (Duquesne); 15206 (East Liberty), and 15221 (Wilkinsburg).

In 2010, families in three new zip codes were helped: Baldwin (15237), Westview (15229) and Sharpsburg (15215). A third of the famiies helped in 2010 lived in Mt. Oliver, North Side, or Wilkinsburg.

Special thanks go to the forty social service agencies which partner with OFP to identify their neediest clients for Off the Floor Pittsburgh services.

Mission Agency Grant from Pittsburgh Presbytery

2011-01-17T20:23:00Z

Off the Floor Pittsburgh has received a $3,000 Mission Agency grant from the Pittsburgh Presbytery to develop a program to expand furniture pick up and delivery into the mid-week. Volunteers will be recruited to handle mid week furniture pick up and delivery when the truck is usually not in use. Staff hours will be expanded to manage these additional trips. The expectation is that supplementing weekend trips with mid week trips will enable OFP to deliver furniture to substantially more families each season.

Four recent grants from Episcopalian Sources

2011-01-17T20:15:00Z

Toward the end of 2010, four significant grants were received to purchase extra long mattresses for 34 wooden bed frames previously donated by the University of Pittsburgh. The grants came from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Women of Calvary, Episcopal Church Women, and the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh for a total of $4,337. We are grateful for the support which enabled us to get these beds to families that needed them.

Successful December 4 lunch and silent auction

2011-01-17T20:06:00Z

The December 4, 2010 luncheon and silent auction at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association in Oakland was fun and successful. KaMila Buchanan, Administrative Assistant at Healthy Start, gave a moving and informative talk about that agency and the impact of OFP deliveries on their clients. We were pleased to have Cheryl Squire Flint, Director of Healthy Start, and other colleagues of KaMila also in attendance. The lunch was tasty and the silent auction bidding strong. Proceeds after expenses were approximately $15,500. Congratulatons to Holly Wilson-Jene and her committee for an outstanding event.

500th family served!

2010-08-15T15:43:00Z

These are very exciting times at Off the Floor Pittsburgh. On August 7th we delivered furniture to our 500th family! On site that day was one of two delivery teams from Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church, lead by Sarah Greenhill.

Another milestone was reached this month, as August 2010 marks the 6th year anniversary of the beginning of this ministry. It began with one woman stopping her car on the side of the road to help a woman and her two daughters and now is a vibrant ministry meeting the needs of over 100 families a year.

We thank God for calling you to this amazing ministry, for sustaining us through its challenges and for all your great support as volunteers and supporters. For more information about Off the Floor Pittsburgh, see our website: www.offthefloorpittsburgh.org

Introducing Mary Ann Miklos

2010-07-26T12:06:00Z

It is a pleasure to announce that Mary Ann Miklos has been selected as the new Pick Up and Delivery Coordinator of Off the Floor Pittsburgh, effective in July. Most of this season she has been volunteering in the warehouse, helping with the preparations which support Saturday deliveries. Michele Kach, former Coordinator, has been providing training since her selection. Welcome aboard, Mary Ann!

Also, many thanks to Michele for excellent and dedicated service since 2008 in her role as Coordinator.

Mid-week volunteers to pick up used furniture

2010-06-25T17:55:00Z

Off the Floor Pittsburgh is a Christian ministry dedicated to providing basic furniture to needy families who are currently eating and sleeping on the floor. We are looking for either individuals or a team of volunteers available during the week to participate in a furniture pick-up team. We need strong male volunteers who would be comfortable driving our truck, picking up donated furniture, and unloading it in our warehouse at 901 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233. Such teams would allow us to increase the amount of used furniture we pick up and ultimately help us serve more families each year. We would anticipate one assignment a week, perhaps once or twice a month or as needed, March through December. This would be a great ongoing ministry project for a church men’s group. Sound interesting to you? Please contact offthefloorpittsburgh@gmail.com.

Phone Volunteer team complete

2010-06-25T17:51:00Z

The two vacancies on the phone volunteer team have been filled in record time, and several more volunteers have indicated an interest in joining the team in the future should the need arise. We are gratified by the number of people who want to support the ministry of Off the Floor Pittsburgh.

Phone Volunteers needed

2010-06-03T15:45:00Z

Urgent! There are two vacancies on the Phone Volunteer team. Can you help?

Phone volunteers return messages left on the Off the Floor Pittsburgh phone, chiefly to potential furniture donors and to families who have been referred to OFP for furniture delivery. Messages are picked up every other day, typically 20-25 per week. You commit to a 2-week period of service on a ten-week rotating schedule, working at home on your own schedule. There is detailed documentation of the task and responsibilities, such as filling out paperwork for pending furniture pick ups and deliveries. Experienced members of the team are available to help with questions.

This is a front line, crucial volunteer activity on which everything else depends. Please respond if you can. Contact Joan Morris, 412 362-7629.

Executive Director Resigns

2010-05-21T11:44:00Z

Cathy Lueers resigned as Executive Director of Off the Floor Pittsburgh effective May 18. Cathy helped Off the Floor in numerous ways these past months, and we are appreciative of her service.

Irish Dinner Event

2010-03-20T15:04:00Z

The Irish dinner at The Woodside Grill on March 15 was wonderful. The food was fine and abundant, the dancers delightful, and the musicians added a lot to the ambience. 82 people attended, so the total revenue was $5,839. Many thanks to The Woodside Grill, The Arnold Family Band, Loafers, and the Bell School of Irish Dance for donating their services and making this event so successful. Special thanks to Mary Pinyot and Holly Wilson Jene for organizing this great evening.

Valentine Event, 2010

2010-03-04T13:45:00Z

The 5th annual Valentine fundraiser was postponed to Feb. 22 due to the big snow on Feb. 12. Girasole provided a lovely ambience and outstanding food and service. A great time was enjoyed by the 33 people who attended. Peg Ghrist received the OFP Volunteer of the Year Award for service on the phone volunteer team and, especially, for developing an extensive Resource Guide for that team's use. The event netted almost $3,000.