About Us - Mustard Seed Furniture Bank

MISSION

The Mustard Seed Furniture Bank of Fort Wayne provides household furnishings to families and individuals as they rebuild their lives after suffering disaster, personal tragedy, or other misfortunes.

HISTORY AND IMPACT

Through recycling and a network of referring agencies, we provide gently used furnishings to people who are starting over due to a catastrophic situation. Since our establishment, we have assisted over 11,500 households as they began rebuilding their lives.

Founded in 2002 by a group of business friends and based on a similar mission from an agency in Florida, the Mustard Seed Furniture Bank took root in Fort Wayne. Our mission and process is unique and we do not sell or provide items through a “thrift store” concept. Our primary program is the Home Furnishings Distribution Program. Over 1,885 individuals, businesses and organizations donate gently used furnishings and household items every year. A cadre of volunteers assist the staff and give more than 1,400 hours of time to unload trucks, sort and display donations, and help with administrative tasks.

Our Beds4Kids program has touched the lives of over 11,172 children, ages 2-17, who need beds. With our program, they can get everything they need to sleep in their own clean and comfortable beds that very night, including a new mattress, platform bed frame, pillow, and gently used or new blanket and sheets.

With a referral from one of our 130 referring agencies, clients come to the Mustard Seed to choose their items. Depending on the referral and our warehouse stock, this may include large items (sofa, bed, living room chairs, end/coffee tables, kitchen table and chairs, dresser, etc.) as well as bed and kitchen linens and kitchenware. Since the Mustard Seed’s assistance is limited to once in a lifetime, clients understand that if they move, they must move the items with them.

People are referred to the Mustard Seed for many reasons. They may have lost everything in a fire or have escaped domestic abuse or are leaving a homeless shelter. Some are veterans. Most are employed. Others cannot work due to health conditions. Some have physical or cognitive disabilities. All have established a home; they just need a little assistance to make the home more livable.

About Our Executive Director

In 2006, Suzie Jordan was hired as the second full-time Executive Director of the Mustard Seed Furniture Bank of Fort Wayne. Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Suzie is the youngest of seven children and is a graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School and International Business College. Obtaining her Bachelor’s in Business Management from Indiana University in 2005.

Through her volunteer, career, and creativity, Suzie guides this independently funded agency to serve a great need through a unique process while expanding the material and financial needs of the Mustard Seed. Working with referring agencies, case managers, volunteers, and the community has allowed for the growth of this mission focused agency. In 2016, Northern Indiana Better Business Bureau awarded the Mustard Seed the Charity of Integrity Torch Award. In 2020, Suzie completed the Foellinger Foundation Executive Leadership Lab.

Suzie is married to Jim and is “Momma Suz” to her step-son, Josh, an Army veteran, and Danielle, both Purdue graduates. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their four-pawed daughter, Molly.

She serves at an advisor capacity to the Riley Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Camp About Face Program as well as on the Queen of Angels Catholic Church Finance Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, quilting/needlework, and music.