22nd International Furniture Give-Away
Are you a new international student, scholar, or family arriving in Bloomington? We’re excited to help you get settled by offering FREE gently used furniture, household, and kitchen items, no strings attached.
This event is open to all new international students, scholars, and families of all nationalities and religious backgrounds.
Come browse a wide selection of donated items and make your new space feel like home!
🛋️ Furniture Selection Days: August 18 & 19, Tuesday & Wednesday
🚚 Furniture Delivery: August 22, Saturday
Furniture Give-Away Process
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| July 1 | 📝 Pre-registration opens. All new international students must register online to participate. |
| August 13 or when full | ⛔ Pre-registration closes. Registration may close early if the event reaches capacity. |
| August 14 | 📧 You’ll receive an email to update your details and confirm your registration. |
| August 16–17 | 📬 Email notification will be sent with your appointment date, time, and location for Furniture Selection Day. |
| August 18 or August 19 | 🪑 Furniture Selection Day at 6:00 PM. Go through check-in, get matched with a guide, and choose 2–3 furniture items and a bag of household goods. Light snacks provided. Plan to stay for 1–3 hours. |
| August 22 | 🚚 Furniture Delivery Day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Be home to receive your furniture. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What items are available at the Give-Away?
Here is a list of some of the items you might find:
- Beds: twin, double, queen
- Study desks, chairs, couches
- Book shelves, dining tables, dressers
- Chest of drawers, side tables
- Kitchen and household items
- And more!
How do I get to select my furniture?
All new international students are required to pre-register online in order to participate. Once registered, you will be invited to attend one of two Furniture Selection Days: Tuesday, August 18 or Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM.
- You will begin by checking in through a registration process.
- Guides will assist you in selecting your furniture.
- Typically, each student can choose 2 to 3 furniture items along with a bag of household and kitchen items.
- Plan to spend 1 to 3 hours at the event, although most students finish much sooner.
- Refreshments and snacks will be available during the event.
- There will also be opportunities to learn more about BISM’s activities and services for international students.
All selected furniture will be delivered to your apartment on Saturday, August 22, between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Please ensure that you are present at your apartment during this time to receive your items.
Will my furniture be delivered to my apartment?
Yes, your furniture will be delivered to your apartment on Saturday, August 22 between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
- You are responsible for moving the furniture inside your apartment.
- Make arrangements ahead of time with your roommates or friends to help you.
- Ensure that you provide an accurate delivery address and phone number to avoid delays or issues.
- Be sure to stay at your apartment during the delivery window so that you can receive your items in person.
- If you are not present when our delivery team arrives, your furniture will be left outside your apartment, and we cannot be held responsible for any damage, loss, or theft after it is dropped off.
Is there a cost to this service?
The Furniture Give-Away is offered as a free service by the staff and volunteers of Bloomington International Student Ministries, BISM, and churches in the Bloomington area. It does not cost you anything.
Visit www.iubism.org/about-us to learn more about BISM and the services that we provide to international students from IU.
How can I get to the event?
Free transportation will be provided from various pickup locations around Bloomington for students who need it. Specific pickup times and locations will be announced closer to the event via email.
If you plan to drive yourself, be sure to arrive at the location and time listed in your appointment email.
Furniture Selection Days will take place at one of two locations:
- Christ Community Church, 503 S High St, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E Rogers Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401. Enter through Entrance #5, Fellowship Hall entrance.
You will be assigned a location and date/time, and it will be clearly stated in your appointment email.
I am a returning international student. Can I attend the Furniture Give-Away?
The International Furniture Give-Away event is especially arranged for new international students, scholars, and their families. If you are a returning student and need furniture, please contact us after August 24, and we will try our best to secure furniture for you.
What if I have some questions?
For more information, please contact BISM FGA Coordinator:
Elan Rajamani
FGA Coordinator
📧 Email: elan@ifmusa.org
📱 Text: 812-327-9587 no phone calls, please
What Last Year’s Students Are Saying About Furniture Give-Away
“I wholeheartedly thank the whole FGA team of Volunteers at BISM for providing the utmost level of support, compassion and kindness throughout this journey and helping us in times of need. I could never thank you enough for the help that you’ve personally provided to me and on everyone’s behalf, I hope you get to spread this joy and kindness as the years go by and allow the people to help such a community grow and shine. Praise the Lord!”
Dhruva Sharma“Thanks for everything. Everyone is so nice and supportive!”
Hsin-Yun, Hsieh“I am very grateful for all the efforts that you have taken for us, all the international students. It was really very helpful of you to arrange for free furniture and kitchen items for us. The whole process was so well organized and executed. All the items and furniture were of very good quality and very clean. This is a very nice and noble initiative taken by you. I wish the best for all of you in life! Thank you so much! People like you are rare.”
Anisha Agrawal“It’s an awesome community—love to join the community.”
Sakshi Ankleshwariya“Great work guys! You guys are doing awesome work!”
Himani Gulati“They do a fantastic job considering it is an unpaid activity. I can see they were working from their heart.”
Lia“Thank you, FGA Volunteers, for your unwavering dedication and compassion. Your efforts make a real difference in the lives of those you serve. Remember, every act of kindness, no matter how small, creates a ripple effect of positive change. Keep shining and know that your hard work and generosity are deeply appreciated. You are making the world a better place.”
Mohammad Jibraan Fazili“What a wonderful, wonderful group of individuals! The whole BISM and FGA team are incredible. I’m so grateful for all you have done for us international students!”
Júlia Cerqueira“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the FGA volunteers for your incredible kindness and support. As a new international student here in Bloomington, I can’t express how much your help has meant to me. Organizing this event to provide furniture and even delivering it to our apartments has made such a positive impact on my experience here. You’ve not only eased the transition into a new place but also made me feel genuinely welcome in this community. Your generosity and dedication are truly inspiring. Thank you so much! God bless you all. Best, Boy”
Boy Valentin“I enjoyed helping all the volunteers. It’s great to see that these veterans are still active.”
Muhammad Amir“Very grateful for everything that you’ve done. I was very excited yesterday coz of the furniture which was coming and now I’m really very happy. My family also wanted to convey thanks for all of this. Thank you very much!! ♥️”
Lakshmi Bhanu Aravind Nidamarty“The volunteers kindly helped me move my heavy desk to the second floor, which was much appreciated. It made my bedroom perfect. The provision of shoe racks, chairs and floor lamps met my immediate needs and was what made my dorm room feel like home.”
Yijia Li“Thank you very much! We really appreciate what you are doing☺️ wish u all the best🥰”
Gaini
