A Genesee County nonprofit is furnishing homes for those in need.
No Neighbor Left Behind has donated over 9,000 items since they were founded in 2021. It’s a project started by the Holy Family Knights of Columbus Council 6742.
“We had been delivering beds for another group for about 4 years before that, and we’d deliver a bed and they had nothing else,” said Joe Buffa. “So, we looked and said we need to start bringing people everything for the house.”
Beginning at 10 a.m. on weekdays, Buffa and “No Neighbor Left Behind” work to fill a box truck and deliver furniture to those in need. That includes everything from tables and chairs to microwaves and more.
Tuesday’s delivery was for Alicia Famiano. She had nothing when she moved into her Flint apartment, not even a bed.
“Now I don’t have to sit on the floor to eat or lay on the floor and sleep anymore. I actually got a bed,” said Famiano.
Buffa is proud to be able to give back to the community in this way.
“As a group, we get a lot of good feelings that we’re actually giving back to the community in a real way. It’s not just money we’re throwing somewhere you don’t know what happens to it,” he said.
Last year alone, they delivered 4,064 items directly to nearly 380 families. All of those items collected from others. For every trip to help fill someone’s home, they are making another to pick up more items.
That’s something this is not cheap to do. The program does not charge for their services and everyone is a volunteer. There is no paid staff.
“We probably need right near 20 grand for the next operating year,” said Buffa. “Most of that is gas.”
But the part that isn’t gas is to repair three vehicles to aid in transporting items to the over 100 families on Buffa’s list.
“If we get any extra, we’ll buy appliances. If we don’t spend it all on gas, which I don’t think gas is coming down anytime soon, then we’ll have some. So, the money will all go to the No Neighbor Left Behind Program in support of the families,” said Buffa.
Buffa says if you would like to donate, either physical items or money, you can give him a call at (313) 718-0714.