Staff photo by Fritz Busch The New Ulm Area Foundation Inc. presents a $5,000 grant award to Heart to Home Furnishings Friday. Pictured from left, Heart to Home Furnishings volunteers Scott Osborne, Mario DeSouza, Eddie Stadick, Rick Fischer, Kirk Smith, Tim Rahe and Gary Neubauer. New Ulm Area Foundation members pictured are Kathy Van Roekel and John Illikman.

NEW ULM — In an effort to purchase beds for local families in dire need, the New Ulm Area Foundation Inc. presented a $5,000 grant award to the Heart to Home Furnishings organization Friday.

Heart to Home Furnishings is a volunteer, non-profit corporation seeking gently used furniture and household items for local families in dire need.

The needy are referred to Heart to Home by various area agencies and organizations that serve the poor including Brown County Human Services, churches, Ivy House, a 24/7 crisis nursery and NUMAS Haus which provides shelter and support services to homeless women and their children primarily in the Brown County area.

Heart to Home Furnishings asks the public to share unsold furniture and household items following garage sales, or from people downsizing or disposing of their parents items.

Donations sought include sofas, loveseats, chairs, lift chairs, kitchen sets, mattresses and bed frames, clean bedding, small bookcases, dressers, end and coffee tables, lamps, small appliances in working order, flat screen TVs, glasses, pots, pans, flatware and dish towels.

Monetary donations are also welcome.

Volunteers are also needed. For more information, call 507-276-6228. Leave a message if necessary. Email a picture of items wished to donate to hthfurnishings@gmail.com.

The grant was made possible by a special, unrestricted contribution from Roger and Carol Ryberg.