BASTROP, Texas -- Five months after the Labor Day fires, one might think most of the victims have the basics covered. However, many are still in need.
One Bastrop couple is helping dozens of families every week through a program called Zero to Furnished.
The 2009 Bastrop fires came right up to Barbara Bobbitt's Smithville home. She and her husband were not so fortunate two years later. Their home was one of the 1,600 lost during the Labor Day weekend fires.
"If you have lost everything, you just can not imagine," said Bobbitt. "There are so many things that you had that you need."
Jan and Joe Schwindt did not lose their home in the fire but a good friend did. The Schwindts, who moved from Colorado recently, gave their friend many of the items they had in storage. That's when they realized, "There are 1,600 other families that do not have us to take care of them," said Jan Schwindt. "What are they going to do?"
In order to help fire victims go from Zero to Furnished, the Schwindts spread the word about the need for furniture and appliance donations.
"We are primarily focused on furniture," said Schwindt. "Any kind of furniture, big, small, in between. Any appliances you would find in a home. The large appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, as well as small kitchen appliances, toasters, mixers."
Since opening in mid-October, the Schwindts say Zero to Furnished has helped 342 families.
"Some of them have gotten maybe a pot or a pan," said Schwindt. "Then there is the gamut, where all the way through we have refurnished a whole apartment or a whole home."
Zero to Furnished is open only twice a week, but the Schwindts say they still see about 40 families each time.
"You only have so much money to work with from FEMA," said Dennis Kane, who lost his home to the fire and was looking at the donated furniture at Zero to Furnished. "When it comes to buying a couch or a table or a stove or something like that, it is just a total blessing because there is just no money left."
The Schwindts say they remain awe struck by the need that still exists five months after the fires and the generosity of a community.
"It has really renewed my faith in mankind," said Schwindt.
Bobbitt says the feeling of going from Zero to Furnished is indescribable.
"It helps you get restarted and to feel normal again," she said.
The Schwindts say their warehouse may look full, but many of the items are already claimed. They say the are in desperate need of furniture, especially dressers, as well as appliances and other household items.
Zero to Furnished is located in the strip center at 210 Hunters Crossing Blvd. adjacent to the Home Depot. Zero to Furnished accepts donations on Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m. Those in need of household items can come by Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.
If you would like to donate items but cannot deliver them, Zero to Furnished will pick them up. You can call (512) 985-7153 or e-mail them.
