Bed Start emerged from a 1995 partnership between Plano Head Start and Custer Road United Methodist Church, when church members wanted to share furniture with others. Teacher Janice Watson and Chuck & Joyce Mcgrath started Household Furnishings Collection to provide Head Start children and their families beds for a good night’s sleep. Under the direction of Tony McIntyre and later Tom Hutson, in 2002, the program became Head Start Bed Start, delivering 500 beds over a 5 year period. In its latter years the program waned, affected by transportation issues and charity imbalance of providing to the poor.
In 2008, Doug Nickols received the calling to serve a growing need throughout the Plano community. Re-branded as a ministry with all stakeholders working together and powered by the Spirit, in 2013 Bed Start developed into a community wide 501c3 (EIN 46-3795959) to unite gracious households with a desire to share with their neighbors requiring a hand up. Through school organizations, faith-based groups, and others with kind hearts, those that serve are invited into homes to pick up gently used furniture and deliver typically the same day. As local social service agencies partnered with Bed Start, the geographic area has expanded to support surrounding communities other than Plano, TX. Bed Start now is a community partner with many national and international organizations, having delivered throughout the world.
During the 2012-2013 school year, Bed Start:
- Was invited into 1,161 homes compared to 750 in the previous year (55% up)
- Delivered 667 beds compared to 384 in the previous year (74% up) and
- Delivered $363,315 total furnishings compared to $191,600 in the previous year (100% up).