Blessing Board adds warehouse, expands to fill needs of low-income families

Donated couches are going out the door as quickly as they come in at The Blessing Board, a nonprofit that has expanded to a new warehouse in Oakmont.

Serving veterans, victims of domestic violence and people dealing with other hardships, The Blessing Board started in the basement of Tom Mitlo's Plum home and has grown from there.

The difference between The Blessing Board and other shops is that items are given for free. No questions asked. There are no income guidelines.

However, the folks at The Blessing Board get to know their clients as they help outfit them with the staples of daily life.

“It's a niche that hasn't been filled,” said Doug Rehberg, chairman of the board and pastor of Hebron United Presbyterian Church of Penn Hills.

The nonprofit served more than 670 families in 2014, mostly in Allegheny County.

Three buildings in Penn Hills totaling 9,000 square feet couldn't contain all the love and need, so the nonprofit has 45,000 square feet at its headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue in Oakmont.

Plans are under way for a location in McKeesport.

They need the space. The nonprofit can fill only about 10 percent of the requests it gets for assistance, according to Rehberg.

Much more than a giant thrift store, gently worn furniture sits next to new dining room chairs and a brand new Toto toilet. Dinnerware is boxed into sets, and used mattresses are available with clean linens.

Still under way is a resale store for the public replete with a coffee bar, chic distressed furniture — it's not your father's thrift store.

Shopping carts stand ready for clients to pick up dish sets and small appliances.

“God is behind us,” Mitlo said. “It's God's business, not ours.”

Mitlo started the Blessing Board in his basement in 2005, spurred by message boards at the Hebron church where the requests of people in need were posted. He wanted to bridge the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots.”

Apparently, there are many have-nots: The nonprofit quickly outgrew Mitlo's basement, storage units and warehouse buildings in Penn Hills.

More than 200 volunteers help operate The Blessing Board, where donated items are picked up by truck and delivered to the warehouse.

Recipients who need the furniture call the nonprofit, according to officials there.

Oakmont Bakery, Panera Bread, Giant Eagle and other local businesses kick in food or money to feed the needy family as they “shop” to pick out their furniture and other household items.

Most of the donated goods are from individuals, and 20 percent come from nursing homes, hotels and local businesses.

Rich Garland of Murrysville got involved in The Blessing Board when he was looking for a community project for the Franklin Regional High School girls soccer team, which he coaches.

The girls collected pots and pans — more than 600 of them.

“Collecting the items wasn't the only point,” said Garland. There were important educational and inspirational lessons as well, he said.

“For my girls, it's who we serve — single young women in poor situations,” said Garland. “The girls see that during the Day of Blessing, and they can relate.”

Mary Ann Thomas is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4691 or mthomas@tribweb.com.