Furniture Friends’ annual challenge is set up like one of those 5Ks in which people gather pledges and raise money for a cause. The difference is that, rather than running, participants sleep on the floor for one night.

“We do this Slumber Party to raise awareness of the people in our community who are going without essential furniture, including beds,” said board president Taylor Taliaferro of Freeport. “One night on the floor is enough to make most people think about how lucky they are.”

Before sleeping on the floor at home, Furniture Friends supporters celebrated that commitment March 14 with a pajama social at Allagash Brewing Company. They enjoyed a buffet and beer, bought raffle tickets and recognized top fundraisers, like Holly MacEwan, who raised over $11,000.

“Furniture Friends takes donated furniture and delivers it to people who don’t have access to basic essentials, like beds, chairs, tables and lamps,” said Holly McEwan, the former service learning coordinator at Falmouth High School. “I had the gift of taking kids out on deliveries and seeing the transformation in students as they used their muscles — and their heart muscles — to get beds up three flights of stairs. What that did for those families and those students was really powerful.”

Since Furniture Friends was founded 13 years ago, more than 16,000 people in Greater Portland have been given basic furniture — beds, dressers, tables, chairs, lamps and sofas. In 2024 alone, the nonprofit distributed more than 1,000 beds and 5,600 other pieces of furniture to 900 households. And there’s typically a waiting list.

“Too many people in our community are sleeping on the floor night after night,” said Executive Director Jenn McAdoo. “A lot of the people we serve are dealing with other challenges in their lives and can’t afford furniture. Maybe they’re moving into housing after having been homeless, or they’re in recovery, or they’re an immigrant or their family has fled domestic violence. We know that furniture is necessary for people to feel safe, comfortable and stable in their homes and work on those other challenges.”

Most of the furniture distributed in the community comes from donations — when people move, downsize, change furniture styles or clear out storage. Furniture Friends picks up donations that meet their requirements.

“We also reach out to businesses like motels and hotels, furniture stores, retirement communities, and restaurants,” McAdoo said. “If they have usable furniture, they can donate it to us — and they’re not paying to dispose of it. The resources exist to match the people who need furniture with people who have it. Furniture Friends is a great example of what people can do when they put their time, talent and generosity together to address an unmet need.”

For the Slumber Party, 39 local businesses (including Allagash) collectively gave nearly $45,000, bringing the fundraising total to $96,000.

“Furniture Friends supports marginalized individuals and people who don’t have access to necessities, and that is a big focus of what Allagash donates to,” said Ren Graziano, a tasting room manager. “Allagash likes to invest in people.”

For more information, including how to donate furniture or money or refer a client, go to furniturefriends.org.

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at amyparadysz@gmail.com.