BURLINGTON, Ontario — IKEA Canada announced it is committing $300,000 to Furniture Bank over the next three years.

Furniture Bank is a Toronto-based social enterprise dedicated to alleviating furniture poverty across Canada. IKEA said its investment builds upon a multi-million-dollar partnership in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and marks a significant step towards a national expansion of their collaborative model.

The GTA partnership has demonstrated the power of combining social impact with circular economy principles. IKEA Canada has enabled Furniture Bank to reuse more than 25,000 returned mattresses and 10,000 other essentials, diverting these valuable resources from landfills and providing home furnishings to over 11,680 individuals and families in need. The amount of mattress donations alone to date is an in-kind value of approximately $4 million as well as environmental savings.

"At IKEA Canada, we are committed to creating a better everyday life for the many people and we know that the issue of furniture poverty has a direct impact on well-being," said Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and chief sustainability officer, IKEA Canada. "Our Life at Home Report indicates that many Canadians struggle to get a quality sleep, which affects their daily performance and overall health. Donated mattresses do more than provide comfort; they create a foundation for a better future. Our partnership with Furniture Bank demonstrates our ability to make a tangible difference in communities while expanding our national impact and advancing our sustainability goals."

In addition to this annual investment, IKEA Canada committed up to $120,000 earlier this year to further support Furniture Bank's Sleep Well initiative. This program is dedicated to addressing furniture poverty by ensuring every child who walks through the doors of Furniture Bank has access to essential sleep items.