WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — According to the North Carolina Alliance to End Homelessness’ 2019 report, nearly 9,000 people are homeless on any given night in the state. For families getting back on their feet, furnishing their new home can be difficult and expensive. 

What You Need To Know

  • GreeNest takes furniture donations from the community, refurbishes them, then allows people overcoming homelessness to buy pieces for their new home

  • GreeNest partners with more than 90 community groups to connect with clients in need of furniture, bedding, kitchen appliances and more

  • The organization began in 2015, and it is modeled after Wake County’s Green Chair Project

  • Clients shop through GreeNest’s in-house showroom, using a points system

A nonprofit group, GreeNest, in the Triad is helping families by providing a space where they can shop for consignment furniture donated by community members. 

Sue Freeman first started volunteering with GreeNest in 2019 after relocating to Winston-Salem. Freeman wanted a productive way to spend her time in retirement.

“When I retired and moved to Winston-Salem, I considered moving into a 55-plus active community. It seemed like it was all play, and I get much more fulfillment from accomplishing something,” she said.

Freeman cleans, sorts and organizes donations dropped off by members of the community. Her husband, Rich, tests appliances and electrical pieces. He also repairs broken items. 

“I feel like I’m doing some good for the community, which is a good feeling in my heart,” Freeman said.

GreeNest first launched in 2015, and it allows people across Forsyth County can donate furniture, home decor, bedding and appliances. The group pairs with a long list of community partners that work with families overcoming homelessness. 

Together, a case manager and the client decide a budget, then that budget translates into GreeNest’s points system. Each piece on the showroom floor costs an amount of points.

“They can outfit an entire one-bedroom apartment generally for about $100. Bed, dresser, end table, nightstands, everything they need. It’s amazing really,” Freeman said.

GreeNest relies on an army of volunteers like Sue and Rich Freeman to keep furniture pieces available to families building their new homes. To volunteer or donate to GreeNest, click here.