Cedar Rapids furniture bank founder is passing on the baton

Susan Johnston, who founded Central Furniture Rescue in 2019 from a church giveaway, is retiring after seven years; the organization has diverted more than 1,300 tons of furniture to over 9,000 people in 3,700 households and is raising funds to hire its first paid CEO.

Susan Johnston has announced plans to retire after founding Central Furniture Rescue out of a church giveaway in 2019. The group grew from work done out of a garage to an established furniture bank that serves Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities. Under Johnston's leadership the nonprofit redirected household items away from landfills and into homes. As it prepares for new leadership, the organization is raising money so it can hire a paid chief executive. What we know: - Central Furniture Rescue began from a church clothing and goods giveaway and formalized in January 2019. - The organization has diverted more than 1,300 tons of furniture and household items and reached over 9,000 people across about 3,700 households. - Donated items valued at more than $2 million have been gifted to people in Cedar Rapids and nearby areas. - Annual households served grew from 228 in 2019 to a peak of 875 in 2024, then declined to 610 in 2025 after a change in housing funding. - The group has operated with an unpaid founder and is now fundraising to pay and staff the next executive leader. Summary: Central Furniture Rescue has expanded from a church-led effort into a regional furniture bank that places donated household items with people entering or reestablishing housing. The founder is stepping down after seven years, and the organization's next priority is securing funds to hire a paid chief executive. Undetermined at this time is who will take the leadership role and the exact timeline for the transition.