In a world where piles of scrap wood often end up in landfills, Nick Francis saw an opportunity to create something extraordinary. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Scrap2Home, a Madeira-based nonprofit, Francis and his team, including his wife Amy and numerous volunteers, are turning discarded wood into hope, one piece of furniture at a time.
From Pandemic Hobby to Purposeful Mission
The story of Scrap2Home began in the spring of 2020, amidst the quiet chaos of the COVID pandemic.
“It was very small-scale at first,” Francis shares. “Just something to do at home during lockdown.”
Then, the seeds of a bigger idea took root: create a nonprofit whose mission is simple–reduce the amount of wood sent to landfills and provide free furniture to families in need.
Francis, a longtime educator, wanted to tackle two problems: the overwhelming waste in society and the lack of furniture for families in need. Could scrap wood destined for landfills be transformed into something valuable? Fast forward to September 19, 2022—Scrap2Home officially launched with its first build in a woodshop with volunteers.
“We help people and organizations who don’t want to throw wood into a dumpster,” Francis explains. “There are lots of people interested in keeping material out of the landfill. We provide an avenue for using that ‘waste’ to help people in need.”
Building Furniture and Futures
Scrap2Home operates on a unique model. They collect scrap wood from construction sites, businesses and even homeowners, then turn these castoffs into sturdy, attractive furniture. Volunteers—many of them regulars—gather to build various items, mostly tables. Today, more than 500 volunteers have contributed over 5,000 hours.
“We’ve saved over 30,000 pounds of wood from landfills and built more than 1,000 items,” Francis beams. “We’ve never run out of scrap wood—in fact, we sometimes have to turn it down because of storage limitations.”
The furniture goes directly to families in need through a partnership with New Life Furniture Bank, whose woodshop they have been using. In return for using their shop, Scrap2Home gives everything they build there to the furniture bank and they pass it on to their clients.
“It has been an awesome partnership that has allowed us to get going and truly prove the concept of Scrap2Home. We are extremely grateful to New Life for all their support,” Francis explains. “The need is alarming, but seeing how the community has rallied around this idea is incredible.”
In addition to building furniture, Scrap2Home offers team-building workshops where businesses and groups build tables together, fostering skills in leadership, collaboration, communication and trust.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in 2025
Scrap2Home’s next big step is moving into a dedicated woodshop in 2025. This move will allow the nonprofit to expand its operations and independence. The transition will require community support, and Scrap2Home is gearing up for a fundraising campaign.
“This next step is necessary because we are growing, our needs have changed and we need the independence of a new space,” Francis explains. “The move is necessary if we want to be a sustainable organization.”
With the impact they have made so far, Francis and his team have proven that with a little creativity and a lot of heart, even scrap wood can be a foundation for change. Whether you’re donating, building or just spreading the word, there’s a place for you at Scrap2Home.
Build the Future
Ways to Join the Scrap2Home Mission
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Donate: Help fund their new woodshop campaign.
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Volunteer: Join the crew to build furniture.
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Book a Team-Building Workshop: Bring your team for a meaningful bonding experience.
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Buy Furniture: Watch for Scrap2Home at local farmers’ markets.
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Follow + Share: Spread the word on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Attend Events: Look out for charity nights at local breweries.
Want to learn more or get involved? Visit Scrap2Home.org for details on volunteering, donating or scheduling a workshop.