SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Furniture Mission of South Dakota has been operating mostly out of its location along Nesmith Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls for the last 20 or so years. But now the organization is making a change by moving to a warehouse on South Van Eps Avenue.
“Downtown we have about seven thousand square feet and we have an additional seven thousand square feet up at our north warehouse,” Executive Director Janean Michalov said. “So, we’re almost doubling by shifting into one location.”
That extra space will make things more efficient for staff, volunteers and clients.
“The Furniture Mission helps about seven thousand individuals each year in our community. And, you know, the efficiencies that we create by not having two locations, not having to shift so many things around, hopefully, that will open up a lot of time slots that we’re able to service more families,” Michalov said.
The non-profit will also be able to expand its wood workshop.
“We build a lot of the furniture that we don’t get donated to us — toddler beds, kitchen tables, things like that,” Michalov said. “That space will be expanded and we are looking to partner with a lot of the youth programs to create mentoring opportunities.”
Another plan for the new location is to open a sewing workshop so that recycled fabric can be turned into quilts for clients.
“It creates another mentorship opportunity for youth and young adults alike to learn that talent or skill if you will,” Michalov said.
The hope is that this expansion will lead to even more growth.
“We are the Furniture Mission of South Dakota but we are only in Sioux Falls,” Michalov said. “So the next step would be, after creating a larger home base, maybe starting to pepper ourselves across the state.”
The hope for the new space along Van Eps is to have renovations and moving done sometime next summer. If you’d like to help, they are always looking for donations and volunteers.
