who we are

DIG’s mission is to

restore dignity & promote stability

by redirecting gently used

furniture & household items

to local families in need at no cost

DIG is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in early 2020 from an observed need in rural, central Pennsylvania. We are inspired and mentored by a nationwide network of furniture banks (some of our favorites include Portland’s Community Warehouse, Atlanta’s Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, St. Louis’ Home Sweet Home, and Houston’s Houston Furniture Bank). The concept is much like a food bank, but only for furniture and household goods. While each furniture bank is different, we all have one thing in common: we believe that there is enough for everybody.

see our impact

DIG started with a

family in need

DIG’s story begins at a home in Mifflinburg, PA, in the early 90s, with a family that fell on hard times. Thanks to their neighbors, their home was furnished with a gently used couch (seen here!), a TV, a dining table, and other important items for a safe and happy home.

Emily, our Founder & Executive Director, now attributes her “normal” upbringing to this simple act of kindness and generosity. Despite a scary and uncertain time, she was still able to make long-lasting memories at home; memories like fighting over the TV with her brother (who always wanted to watch SportsCenter), talking about her day over family dinners, inviting friends over for sleepovers. and cuddling up on the couch with her mom when she was sick with the stomach bug.

Although Emily didn’t understand what kind of impact these everyday objects would have on her and her family at the time, it sparked a passion to explore the meaning of home and how to build a life helping others.

Fast forward 25+ years, Emily found herself working in the nonprofit world in her very own hometown area. After observing the need of families also living in the Susquehanna Valley, she quickly realized that there wasn’t a solid resource for families moving into housing and starting over with nothing.

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Emily - along with the rest of the world - found herself at home a lot more. With her husband, Nick’s, help, they built DIG using a storage barn on their property in Lewisburg.

Today, DIG is in its third location to keep up with the ever-growing inventory of donated furnishings from the community. DIG works with more than 40 Referral Agencies that connect local families to free household items, ensuring that all houses in the Valley have the chance to become a forever home.