Critical Bed Shortage – November 2021

PRESS RELEASE

SHORTAGE OF STEEL AND FOAM IMPACTS NONPROFIT DONATIONS: “CHALLENGES DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES”

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 8, 2021

Over the last few months, Bridging has experienced challenges and shortages in our donated bed supply from our residential donors as well as retail partners.

One of the primary reasons that this is impacting Bridging at this time, well into COVID, is that interruptions in the supply chain are now greatly affecting new bed production. Bed manufacturers have been dealing with short supplies of foam and steel that they use in the construction of beds and frames, which is delaying delivery of new products to customers.

Since their customers aren’t receiving their new beds, their in-kind donations have been reduced and affected our regular supply.

“Bridging has seen a substantial reduction in not only the donations from our retail partners but also a reduction in the number of beds being dropped off directly at our donation doors from residential donors,” says Steve Jameson, Bridging operations and logistics manager.

According to analysts, the industry could see this interruption well into 2022. Bridging will continue to do everything we can to seek out alternative options; we will keep all of our options open as we move through this challenging time.

“A bed is one of the most important items a client can receive from Bridging,” says Mark Wilkening, executive director of the organization. “If we have to limit the number of beds we can give out, that means clients are sleeping on the floor. It impacts their quality of life, it impacts their ability to work and learn and move forward in their lives. We need people to look around and see if they can spare a quality mattress, box spring or bed frame to help us continue to serve people who need those items.”

Our WEEKLY need at Bridging:

• 100 households to be served
  • An average of 250 people who need beds to sleep in
• More than 175 mattresses donated
• More than 175 box springs donated
• 175 metal/collapsible bedframes

Thank you for helping us serve Bridging’s mission.

Additional details about our quality standard and full list of acceptable items can be found online: www.bridging.org/give-stuff

For more information:

• Contact Diana Dalsin (direct phone: 952.888.0746)
• WATCH: Bridging 101 (3 minutes) – who we serve and how we serve the mission –
• WATCH: Lives We Touch stories – Jess and Scott  – check this out;
• HEAR DIRECTLY from clients served: thank you voice messages received, Client Voice Mails