Amherst Town Common to be filled with furniture

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Amherst’s Town Common is a popular spot for tourists and students looking to take a break. But this week, a familiar sight will once again take over the greens; a white and green tent filled with furniture.

More than 70 volunteers will help sell hundreds of pieces of furniture this weekend in the annual Giant Used Furniture Sale. The donated items were collected by the Amherst Survival Center as the proceeds supplement the organization’s operating budget.

Volunteers like Larry Crook have been unloading trucks since Monday and say they’ve noticed a drop in donations. “There are a lot of desks that we need, we need end tables, sofas. What we don’t need is electrical items, sleepers, or futons; those are the kinds of things we stay away from,” said Crook.

Organizers told 22News they attribute the 30% drop to the lackluster economy, a reality they see every day in their center. Last year alone, the center serviced 4,000 visitors in need of food, health care and clothing.

The drive will take place Friday, September 7 and Saturday, September 8.

Donations are still being accepted and could be dropped off at the Amherst Town Common from Wednesday until Saturday.