Business Details
39 Years
experience
Furniture and Household Goods for Housing Stability
Bridging has been dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve housing stability since 1987. Founded on the principle of connecting community resources with those in need, we have provided furniture and household essentials to over 115,000 households, positively impacting more than 345,000 individuals. Our operations rely on a network of nearly 5,000 volunteers and 270+ agency partners, ensuring clients receive dignified support through donated items inspected for quality and safety. With three warehouses across the Twin Cities, we serve over 5,300 households annually, prioritizing families with children and individuals earning less than $20,000 annually. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures every client, volunteer, and partner feels valued.By alleviating the financial burden of furnishing homes, we enable families to focus on education, employment, and health. Our team of staff and volunteers meticulously inspects all donated items to maintain high standards. Bridgings expansion, including a new Plymouth location, reflects our dedication to meeting growing community needs. We measure success through client testimonials, such as stories of improved job performance and academic outcomes linked to stable home environments. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we remain transparent through annual reports and financial disclosures, ensuring trust and accountability.
Services
Furniture Distribution
Household Goods Provision
Delivery Services
Volunteer Programs
Agency Partnerships
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- 37+ years of experience serving Twin Cities communities
- Network of 270+ agency partners ensures broad accessibility
- Volunteer-driven model reduces operational costs
- Quality-checked donations meet strict safety standards
- Annual impact of 5,300+ households served
What people say
Warm and helpful
Cool people
Great conversation
Comfortable home
There for you
Services
Furniture Distribution
Bridging provides gently-used furniture to families transitioning to housing stability. Our inventory includes sofas, tables, and beds, all inspected for safety and quality. Clients receive complete home setups through agency referrals.
Household Goods Provision
We distribute kitchenware, linens, and decor to create functional homes. Items are donated by community members and prepared by volunteers. These goods help families focus on education and employment.
Delivery Services
Bridging offers delivery within the Twin Cities metro area for $225. Our team handles transportation and placement of items, with capacity for two flights of stairs. Self-pickup is also available.
Volunteer Programs
Individuals and groups can volunteer in warehouses or community events. Over 5,000 volunteers annually support operations, gaining meaningful experience while helping families achieve housing stability through donated time and skills.
Agency Partnerships
We collaborate with 270+ social service agencies to identify clients in need. Partner organizations receive training and resources to facilitate referrals, ensuring efficient distribution of furniture and household goods to qualifying families.
People
Fran Heitzman
Founder
Fran Heitzman founded Bridging in 1987 after donating furniture to a young family. His vision of connecting community resources with housing needs inspired thousands of volunteers and transformed the lives of over 345,000 individuals.
Mark Wilkening
Executive Director
Mark Wilkening leads Bridging's strategic initiatives, focusing on expanding services to meet growing community needs. With decades of nonprofit experience, he emphasizes dignity and service excellence in all organizational operations.
Wendy Erickson
Volunteer Coordinator
Wendy Erickson has managed Bridging's volunteer program for 15 years, coordinating over 600 volunteers. She builds relationships to ensure volunteers have the resources needed to support clients effectively through warehouse and community activities.
Andrew Ronning
Warehouse Manager
Andrew Ronning oversees Bloomington warehouse operations, ensuring donated items meet quality standards. With 12 years of service, he manages inventory systems and coordinates teams to maintain efficient distribution processes for clients.
Questions
How do I qualify for Bridging's services?
Clients must be referred by a social service agency. Case managers determine eligibility based on housing needs and income criteria, with 85% of clients earning under $20,000 annually.
What items does Bridging provide?
We offer complete home setups including furniture, kitchenware, bedding, and decor. All items are gently used, inspected for quality, and distributed through scheduled appointments at our three warehouse locations.
Are there fees for services?
Appointments cost $75 with optional $225 delivery. Fees help cover operational costs, but case managers may assist with payment arrangements for qualifying clients through our partner agency network.
Can I donate items to Bridging?
Yes! We accept furniture and household goods during business hours at all locations. Donations are inspected for quality, with 14 million pounds diverted from landfills annually through our reuse programs.
How can I volunteer with Bridging?
Volunteers support warehouse operations, events, and community outreach. Opportunities include individual shifts and group projects. Training is provided to ensure volunteers can effectively assist clients during shopping appointments.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Mari-Pat P.
Dec 17, 2021
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I have donated to Bridging for several years and never had any problem, but this year I have tried on 4 separate occasions to donate perfectly good furniture items, only to have them rejected. It is a waste of my time and a waste of resources that others could use. I will no longer work with this charity.
Jim L.
Apr 02, 2019
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My company has given me the opportunity to volunteer here a couple of times. The first time we sponsored them with a dresser build where we bought several dresser kits and built them onsite for people that are looking for a dresser. This time it was helping by grabbing the requested items for orders and get them on the truck for delivery while others rolled up donated blankets and other bedding for people in need. There was also a lot of show piled up on some semi trailers that was caving in the roof of the trailer. We helped pull the wet snow down to keep more damage from happening. I felt
Michelle J.
May 01, 2018
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First of all, I used Bridging when I first moved to MN. Awesome service, great for people who need it. My daughter also used the service. However, she is moving and doesn't have the need for the furniture and would like to donate it back because it's in good condition. I set the appointment with them and verified that I would pay $150 to have them come inside the apartment and pick it up for us. They sent two elderly gentlemen, both with back problems who probably couldn't pick them up if they were two feet from the truck. Also, they had orders to only pick it up if it were
Terri L.
Jan 17, 2018
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First volunteering event with Surly Gives a Damn for 2018! Woooooo. Bridging does great work for the community with helping families to get a basic furniture for their house. During the introductions they talked about how 200+ people use their service. So they plenty of help and donations especially during this winter time. You are able to help out an individual or a group. When I volunteered with Bridging after signing in, we were let into the warehouse. So the groups goal was to building 57 dressers. So their were people who were able to make the dresser super quick and those whose first time
Jenni B.
Jun 05, 2014
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I volunteered at Bridging with a group of co-workers recently and I was so impressed by what this organization accomplishes for people coming out of hard times. As the largest furniture bank in the US, Bridging provides everything you would need for a nice home, and one that you can be proud of. It was really easy to coordinate with their office, they have a polished website where you can submit a request for interest in coming to volunteer, the size of the group and the time you can come. They will do all the planning, all you need to do is show up in closed toe shoes with a positive attitude
Ashley F.
Apr 10, 2009
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I volunteer at Bridging two days a week, and it is such an incredible place. Lindsey pretty much summed up what they do, but I wanted to review it as well in the hope that a few of you may see this review and say:
"Gee...Maybe I don't need 17 pots and 9 pans. I should donate some of this stuff to Bridging!"
Even though times are tough, most of us could stand to spare a few pots, pans, towels or old furniture. Most of the people who Bridging helps really do have nothing in their homes. It makes you reconsider your need for stuff.
"Gee...Maybe I don't need 17 pots and 9 pans. I should donate some of this stuff to Bridging!"
Even though times are tough, most of us could stand to spare a few pots, pans, towels or old furniture. Most of the people who Bridging helps really do have nothing in their homes. It makes you reconsider your need for stuff.
Lindsey P.
Dec 09, 2008
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I had an amazing volunteer experience at this place about a month ago. It is so well organized. For those of you who don't know about the incorporation, it is basically a warehouse with used furniture and families who qualify can come and furnish their homes for free! Bridging will even help transport the furniture to the homes. It helps about 150 families a week and partners with any organization you can think of- from Habitat for Humanity, to Target, to Slumberland, and many others. I helped to put together some small cabinets from Target and felt like I had made a difference after
