TAUM Annual Festival of Music and Chocolate
How do you make a space feel like home?
From the City of Rensselaer to the Village of Hoosick Falls; from the City of Troy to the town of Sand Lake and all throughout Rensselaer County those in need have access to used furniture free of charge. People from many circumstances are served including:
- People who have been homeless and are now obtaining housing
- Those fleeing domestic violence
- Families who suffer a catastrophic event
- Low wage earners or living on disability and are working “to make ends meet.”
The Troy Area United Ministries’ (TAUM) Furniture Program creates homes, keeps families together, and prevents people from having to sleep on the floor. God continues to bless this small but vital ministry and we are thankful.
3 Real Examples
This isn’t just an academic experience. Here are just 3 examples of how TAUM was able to serve those in our community.
- A woman and her 3 children were fleeing domestic violence, but they couldn’t move into a home until the Troy Area United Ministries’ Furniture Program provided beds, a table, chairs and a living room set.
- Two parents and their children lost their home to a fire and when they were able to get an apartment, TAUM provided emergency assistance and furniture.
- A painter fell off a ladder and became disabled. He and his wife and children had to move to lower cost housing, and because of their low income, they were not able to afford all basic needs. When the furniture program provided beds, dressers, a table and living room furniture, they were immensely appreciative.
An Additional Benefit, Recycling Furniture is Eco-Friendly
From an environmental stewardship point of view, thousands of pieces of furniture (about 2,500 a year) are kept out of landfills and given to those who need them. Please call Program Director, Tyara Burnett at 518-274-5920 x204 when you have good condition furniture you no longer need. We’ll come and get it with our truck!
Great Food, Great Music, All for a Worthy Cause
On Nov. 8, Troy Area United Ministries (TAUM) will have our annual Festival of Music and Chocolate, a benefit for the Furniture Program. (Music AND Chocolate, because way back, former President Laura Rogers asked, “Music or Chocolate? Why choose?”)
The concert will feature Former moderator Sal Scecchitano (Juilliard Trained Musician), First United Presbyterian, Troy and 5 other choirs and musical ensembles.
The dessert extravaganza will include many delectable treats, including some made by expert baker Sofia Ocampo-Vance and culinary school grad Joyce Brewer.
You can support the furniture program by coming to this fine event, the Festival of Music and Chocolate on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. at Church of the Covenant, Averill Park (Tickets are $12 with advance reservation for all the desserts you care to sample, and there is a free will offering during the concert.)
If you can’t attend but would like to learn more about how to support TAUM, please contact me! I would love to talk with you about how to find ways to be involved that works with your schedule and interests.
Thank you, Albany Presbytery.
