TIPP CITY — A Miami Valley ministry teamed up with students from a local high school to help build families and give them a fresh start.
How? With furniture.
When people think about starting fresh, they often think about beds or sofas, but according to one of the ministries at New Path in Tipp City, J.J.’s Furniture, a table is actually one of the most important things.
According to William Lutz, the executive director of New Path, nothing can build a family better than sharing a meal together.
“If you don’t have a table in your house to do your homework and to pay your bills and to have those hard conversations, you’re not going to grow as a family, and that’s what we’re trying to create,” said Lutz.
In the warehouse at JJ’s Furniture, they collect and distribute everything from recliners, night stands, beds, and more to families coming out of supporting housing environments.
“That could be incarceration, that could be domestic violence shelter, that could be a halfway house. Those folks coming out of those environments are literally starting with nothing, and furniture is a good way to get them on a good start,” said Lutz.
The tables were built and donated by students at Liberty High School in Dayton who are also volunteers that build houses.
“It meant a lot to me because we’re seeing young people give back. These are kids (in these programs) that sometimes come from disadvantaged households themselves,” said Lutz.
The group plans to continue making tables going forward to help families grow.
Tables are one of the least donated items, so anyone wanting to help out J.J.’s Furniture Ministry and New Path with furniture donations can contact (937) 669-1213.