Leading with Compassion & Respect
The Blessing Board is a faith-based nonprofit called by God to love others by providing furniture and household items to those in need. We value Christ-centered service to others and showing grace to each individual and family we encounter.
Where We Came From and Where We Are Heading
In 2007 at the urging of one of its members a local church’s board of deacons put up a bulletin board that listed blessings to give and blessings to receive. At that time anything could be listed on the deacon’s bulletin board from pool tables to strollers to yard work to tutoring. Items were collected and kept in a residential garage until someone expressed a need for them. When that quickly became full, the church rented storage units, and then a small house on another church’s property.
Over those first years the initial concept evolved to focus on Christ’s call to help our neighbors, extending the reach beyond the local church. In 2010 a board of directors was formed and, with nothing but some mission funds from the church and a dedicated group of volunteers, The Blessing Board was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
From being housed initially in a garage, to storage units, to a small house, to an industrial park in Penn Hills, to warehouses in Oakmont and McKeesport, to warehouses in Shaler and West Mifflin, The Blessing Board has held fast to its mission. As of mid-2023 more than 11,500 families have been served, representing approximately 25,000 individuals including 12,000 children 18 and under, more than 160,000 items have been given away, and 6.3 tons of furniture have been kept out of landfills. On average 250 volunteers serve a total of 15,000 hours each year.
What began as a tiny grassroots organization has become a professionally run organization serving more than 1,500 families each year at its two locations in Shaler and West Mifflin. The 24,000 square foot facility in Shaler is off Route 8. This location is close to the city, providing convenient access to the northern regions of Pittsburgh. Our 28,000 square foot warehouse in West Mifflin off Lebanon Road provides access for the southern regions. Additionally, the Vintage Market at the Shaler location is a highly successful resale shop, currently funding approximately 20% of The Blessing Board’s $1.25 million dollar budget. Individuals and groups of volunteers continue to provide much needed help for a small but mighty staff.
Mission
The Blessing Board exists to provide donated household furnishings to those in need at no cost in response to what God has done for us.
Belief Statement
We are called by God to love others by providing furniture, household items, and home medical equipment to those in need.
Vision
Through God’s grace every family experiencing hardship can receive the items they need from The Blessing Board.
Core Values
Christ-centered, community, respect, compassion, service, health and wellness, eco-conscious.
To our Partners
Amplify Church
Cribs for Kids
Hebron Presbyterian Church
Norwin Christian Church
Oakmont Bakery
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Usher Family Charitable Foundation
World Vision
To our Sponsors
Bellefield Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church of Irwin
Garland Agency
Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church
Terry Griffin, DMD
To our Supporters
Mt. Vernon Community Presbyterian Church – McKeesport
Patti’s Pasticceria
ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh
We appreciate the partners, sponsors, and supporters who choose to remain anonymous. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed.