Humble Design Donation Drive

The San Diego chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is hosting a donation drive for Humble Design, a nonprofit that serves families and veterans emerging from homelessness by transforming empty houses or apartments into fully furnished homes. The one-day event is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at Designer Gallery in the Morena Design District.

“We are looking for contributions of new or gently used furniture suitable for small apartments, home goods, and gift cards to major retailers,” said Shannon Rice, ASID liaison to Humble Design. “We also welcome cash contributions, which will be used to help support ASID’s ‘Day of Joy,’ creating a home for a Humble Design client later this year.

“We will have volunteers to help unload the vehicles, and donors are invited to stay for complimentary refreshments,” she said, adding that a list of the most needed items is available on the Humble Design San Diego website. Scroll down to “Take Action/View Donation Guide.”

In addition to Designer Gallery, which is providing space for the collection event, corporate sponsors include Design Logistics and Talitha Coffee.

Humble Design has furnished more than 4,000 homes across five cities since its founding in Detroit in 2009.   Beginning in 2018, Humble Design San Diego has created more than 625 personalized, welcoming spaces for families emerging from homelessness. Each home reflects its family’s likes and lifestyle, empowering them to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope, according to Laura Lavoie, executive director of Humble Design San Diego.

“According to a 2024 UC San Diego Homelessness Hub study, 98 percent of our clients remain housed a year later, a rate more than 10 times the San Diego County alternative,” she said.

The local ASID chapter has an ongoing relationship with Humble Design.

“When we learned about Humble Design’s mission, we knew that there was a natural kinship between our two nonprofit organizations,” said Rice, former president of the San Diego chapter of ASID.

“ASID firmly believes that ‘design impacts lives,’” emphasized Rice. “By harnessing our professional skills to craft beautiful, dignified homes for families and individuals who have left homelessness, we can create lasting change,” she added, highlighting ASID San Diego’s collaboration with Humble Design on its fifth annual design project this year.