Nonprofit helps those in need with furniture

When Brad Richter got out of prison several years ago, he found himself in an apartment with no furnishing in it.

"Starting over, you have a whole bunch of things you're already dealing with," he told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. "It was very overwhelming because I started with zero. Nothing. I ended up with nothing."

His support team referred him to Bridging, a Twin Cities nonprofit that provides those in need with furniture. On a cold December day, volunteers took Richter shopping in a large warehouse. He carefully picked out items he liked to furnish his two-bedroom place.

"I remember walking through myself going, am I deserving of this?" he said.

The power of choice is what Richter said makes the organization special. Every item is donated and new items are added daily, thanks in part to generous donors.

"This is not a giveaway," Richter said. "This is an experience for people to build something of security for themselves to go to the next step."

Richter now works as a warehouse associate at the nonprofit's Roseville location. He started as a volunteer in the Bloomington warehouse. Richter said he takes pride in the fact that he is helping people who are in situations like he was once.

"It's OK to say I need help because help is out there," Richter said.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is partnering with Slumberland furniture to put on an event to raise money for the nonprofit, called Bedrace for Bridging.

Bedrace for Bridging happening March 14 at Buck Hill