Navigate Forward Team Volunteers at Bridging, Helps Replenish Pillow Supply
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Navigate Forward, a Twin Cities-based consulting firm serving senior executives in transition, dedicated their afternoon to volunteering at Bridging. Group volunteer coordinator Joel Bisser introduced the 12 volunteers to Bridging’s operations during a tour of the Bloomington warehouse.
As the group walked the warehouse aisles and approached the pillow bins, Joel shared that Bridging serves 120 households each week and distributes, on average, 300 pillows to clients.
The group paused and observed the nearly empty pillow bins. After the morning shopping appointments, the supply had been depleted to only three pillows.
The group finished the warehouse tour and completed a short orientation for folding sheets, an important group project to ensure quality and prepare sheet sets for distribution on Bridging’s shelves.
As the group started folding sheets, Navigate Forward’s CEO Anne Sample quickly jumped into action to help Bridging replenish its supply. Two volunteers ventured out to a nearby retailer to purchase new, quality pillows while the rest of the group folded sheets.
Upon their return, the Navigate Forward team filled the pillow bins with 40 new pillows, providing a one-day supply!
“Navigate Forward met an immediate need for Bridging. We are so grateful,” says Joel. “Without the passion and generosity of groups like Navigate Forward, we wouldn’t be able to fulfill Bridging’s mission.”
Bridging provides a full household setup of furnishings to individuals and families who are transitioning to housing stability. We rely on the community to donate quality furniture and essential items to fill our shelves and meet inventory needs that arise throughout the year.
“On the tour, we learned staggering statistics about community members challenged by housing instability,” says Mindee Kastelic, VP of Corporate Partnerships at Navigate Forward.
In response, our team identified several ways to proudly support Bridging’s mission and help meet the growing demand for its services. We couldn’t imagine not having a pillow to sleep on. We were glad to bridge this immediate gap.
Thanks to the Bridging team for hosting us for a very organized and impactful volunteer experience!”
Thank you, Navigate Forward, for your partnership and for helping to ensure everyone gets a good night’s sleep!
You can support Bridging’s inventory needs by hosting a pillow drive or other essentials drive!
Check out our essentials drive guides and group volunteer opportunities. Invite a group of friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, or your civic club/ faith community to participate.