As many of you may know, we’re partnering with Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts again this year for our annual Switch Up event. Starting today, bring your gently used kitchen or dinnerware to either our Newton or Belmont location to be donated to Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts. Your old kitchen and dinnerware will benefit a family (or families) in need. In return, you will receive 15% off of your new kitchen and dinnerware purchase. What’s not to love? 

What items are accepted as donations?

• Dinner Plates & Bowls

• Glasses, Cups, Mugs

• Silverware

• Pots and Pans

• Kitchen Utensils

• Knives and Knife Sets

• Baking Pans

• Mixing Bowls

• Measuring Cups

Items must be new or gently used. They must also be clean, complete, and in good working condition. A good rule of thumb to determine if furniture and home goods are worthy of donation: would you feel comfortable providing a family member setting up a “starter home” with the items you are considering? If so, we are happy to accept them. 

What items will NOT be accepted?

• Kitchen Electrics

• Unsanitary or Unusable Items

How many items will get discounted?

This event is based on a 1:1 exchange rate. For every item donated to Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts, one item will be discounted at 15% off. The more you donate, the more items you will receive a discount on! 

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to inquire in-store with one of our store associates or send us an email at support@didriks.com. To learn more about Switch Up 2021, visit this page: https://www.didriks.com/switch-up-2021

About Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts 

The mission of Cambridge-based non-profit Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts (FHMA) is to provide families who are transitioning out of homelessness with much-needed furniture and household goods for their new homes.

The brainchild of Cambridge native Suzy Palitz, Furnishing Hope started in a basement where gently used furniture was being donated and collected for homeless families moving into permanent housing. The opportunity to re-purpose items turned out to be a good fit for the community. The organization has grown much since its founding in 2012, recently moving to new office spaces in Harvard Square.  

Throughout the year, volunteers and staff collect gently used furniture and supplies from donors. Suzy and her new operations manager, Eleanor Sarah Austin, inventory items that will be redistributed. These items then are featured on an online platform where families can select what they need. Smaller items like kitchen tools, dinnerware, and home accessories are divided into kits for families of all sizes. As of August this year, FHMA will have served over 480 families to build a home for themselves.

The work doesn't stop there. Furnishing Hope also works with social agencies to deliver the furniture to each family's new home. Their partner Humboldt Storage and Moving helps with delivery and set up, while Suzy and her team bring kitchen starter kits, new bed linens, and other home accessories. Occasionally they will even help families organize and settle into their new homes.

Didriks owner, Jonathan Henke, cites this as a reason he loves working with Furnishing Hope: "They provide a missing piece that most furniture banks cannot. They make it easier for families to gain access to what they need."  

Didriks' first Switch Up event was held in 2013 and the partnership with Furnishing Hope began in 2014. Each year Didriks hosts a campaign where customers can swap gently used dinner and kitchenware items for 15% off new and equivalent items. These gently used items then are donated to Furnishing Hope. This year Switch Up will start on September 2nd and run until until October 12th. 

Every year customers get excited about the campaign as it is an opportunity to give back in a unique way. For more information about FHMA visit http://furnishinghopema.org/.