GIFT OF GIVING
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Mission Statement
"all are welcome, no requirements, no judgements” Our mission is simple yet profound: to serve our community, ensuring that no one in need is ever turned away, and done so without judgment or discrimination... reducing, rehoming, & reusing (Environmentally conscious) - clothing, furniture, gently used furniture, blankets, bedding, keeping waste out of the landfill. Establishing trust, relationships, and resources for all. A core initiative is “No child sleeps on the floor”. Buying new beds/mattresses and bedding for children at a discounted price. Gift of Giving, originally started as a holiday toy drive for Clarion, Iowa and surrounding areas has grown to serving the public in multiple ways. During the 2020 pandemic, we chose to help make a difference in this unique holiday season, by ensuring all local children and families were given their wishes. We were able to give coats, gloves, hats, toys, and much more. Since that first holiday season of 2020, Gift of Giving has continued to morph into a much more meaningful and ongoing charity - supporting the citizens and families of Clarion, Goldfield, and Dows with many different needs all year long. We accept new and used clothing, in great/good condition for our “mobile free clothing trailer” that has regular pop-up events. The events are often held in conjunction with the local food pantries. We also “flip” used furniture to people & families in need. In the last three years, we have relocated over 64 new and gently used beds, 45 comforters, 26 dressers, 25 couches, 17 recliners, 10 tables and many miscellaneous home furnishings in 2023 alone. If someone in the community needs assistance, we help or connect them to the correct resource. Gift of Giving has assisted individuals with food insecurity, immigration, housing/rental, electric bills, gas to get to work or appointments, and provided needed diapers and formula. In August 22/23, we supplied 68 new backpacks and the required school supplies to those that signed up. In 23/24 supplied 105 and look to exceed that for the 24/25 school year. Christmas 2022, a 178 local families-over 862 individuals, who signed up and were given a bag of food and their requested clothing, coats, hats, blankets and toys. Currently, we are raising funds and registering for this new year’s holiday wishes. The community’s support has been crucial to our success but we are not able to meet all of the needs in our area. 2023 exceeded that number and was a huge event that Gift of Giving provides. We have since had 6 or more pop up events, re-homed an additional 15 couches, 18 beds, several tables & recliners. We have purchased 3 baby cribs and 2 bunk bed sets. The list could go on and on… It is with the community's help financially and physically as donors and volunteers that Gift of Giving has been so successful. We continue to meet and expand our services as the community evolves and reaches out to us for help or to help.
About This Cause
**Gift of Giving** originally started as a holiday toy drive for Clarion, Iowa. During the 2020 pandemic, we chose to make a difference during this unique holiday season by ensuring all local children and families received their wishes. We provided coats, gloves, hats, toys, and much more. Since that first holiday season, **Gift of Giving** has evolved into a much more meaningful and ongoing charity—supporting the citizens and families of Clarion, Goldfield, and Dows with various needs throughout the year. We accept new and gently used clothing in great/good condition for our “mobile free clothing trailer,” which hosts regular pop-up events, often in conjunction with local food pantries. We also “flip” used furniture to people and families in need. Over the last three years, we have relocated over 64 new and gently used beds, 45 comforters, 26 dressers, 25 couches, 17 recliners, 10 tables, and many miscellaneous home furnishings. If someone in the community needs assistance, we help or connect them to the appropriate resource. **Gift of Giving** has assisted individuals with food insecurity, immigration, housing/rental issues, utility bills, gas for work or appointments, and providing needed diapers and formula. In August 2022/23, we supplied 68 new backpacks and the required school supplies to those who signed up. Last Christmas, 178 local families—over 862 individuals—received a bag of food, as well as their requested clothing, coats, hats, blankets, and toys. We are currently raising funds and registering for this year's holiday wishes. Community support has been crucial to our success, but we are not able to meet all of the needs in our area. The 2023 event exceeded those numbers and is one of the biggest events **Gift of Giving** provides. We have since held six or more pop-up events, re-homed an additional 15 couches, 18 beds, several tables, and recliners. We have purchased three baby cribs and two bunk bed sets. The list could go on and on... It is with the community's financial and physical help as donors and volunteers that **Gift of Giving** has been so successful. We continue to meet and expand our services as the community evolves and reaches out to us for help—or to help. President and Founder of **Gift of Giving** in Clarion, Iowa, Erica Lindaman, describes what began as a heartfelt response to the challenges of 2020 as an organization that has grown into a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our mission is simple yet profound: to serve our community, ensuring that no one in need is ever turned away, and we do so without judgment. During the holiday season, **Gift of Giving** touches the lives of over 190 families, providing toys, clothing, coats, blankets, and food. Beyond the festivities, we keep the spirit of giving alive by encouraging local residents to recycle, repurpose, and re-home items they no longer need, diverting them from landfills. This not only helps families in need but also reduces environmental impact. We extend our services to address various pressing issues, including helping with overdue bills, rental difficulties, and connecting individuals with other vital resources. We also work closely with victims of domestic violence, labor trafficking, and mental health challenges, providing support, shelter, and guidance. Our community is increasingly diverse, with many families arriving from Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico seeking a better life. As they face numerous obstacles, we aim to assist them through these trying times. Moreover, we are collaborating with the First Lutheran Food Pantry to address the pressing issue of food insecurity, especially in a region classified as a food desert by the USDA. Together, we're working on a shared project to benefit children, women, and families in need. To create a brighter future, we're in the early stages of developing a coalition of services, including a much-needed Community/Youth Center, mental health support, educational programs, language and life-skill training, legal aid, and respite care. We have commitments from local individuals and organizations, but funding remains our primary challenge. At **Gift of Giving**, our commitment is unwavering: "All are Welcome, No Judgments." We invite you to join us in making our community a better, more inclusive place for everyone. **Working towards a full brick-and-mortar facility**, we will continue to grow our community benefits, including: - **Inclusivity**: The project's central focus is on inclusivity, bringing together diverse populations within the community, including different ethnic and language groups, genders, and age brackets. - **Community Empowerment**: By uniting various organizations and individuals, the project empowers the community to address critical issues collectively. It provides a platform for community members to take part in shaping the center's offerings and services. - **Resource Accessibility**: The project aims to provide essential resources such as clothing, furniture, food, educational programs, and health services to community members who may not have easy access to them. - **Youth Center**: The creation of a safe and inclusive Youth Center ensures that young community members have a dedicated space for personal growth, development, and recreation. - **Cultural Affairs and Bilingual Advocacy**: These components acknowledge the cultural diversity of the community and provide support, advocacy, and programs that cater to different backgrounds. - **Family Wellness and Advocacy Services**: The project addresses medical, mental health, legal, and educational needs, ensuring that families have access to vital support services. - **Education and Skill Building**: The project imparts knowledge, skills, and tools to individuals and groups, enhancing their abilities and improving overall community well-being. - **Coordinated Services**: By coordinating services and creating a central hub, the project ensures efficient delivery of essential resources and support. Our organization is dedicated to addressing the needs of low-to-moderate income individuals in Wright County, Iowa, defined as households earning below $63,120. We offer a comprehensive range of services to support these individuals, including access to essential resources such as food, clothing, and housing, financial assistance, educational and job training programs, affordable healthcare, and community engagement initiatives. These programs are designed to help individuals improve their economic stability and overall quality of life. We estimate that approximately 80% of those we serve fall within the low-to-moderate income category. This determination is based on a thorough assessment process that includes collecting income documentation from applicants, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and other financial records. We also utilize income self-reporting methods, where individuals disclose their income levels during the application process. To ensure accuracy and continued eligibility, we periodically reassess the income levels of our recipients. Our organization employs a robust tracking system to monitor the income levels of those we serve. This system includes detailed record-keeping and data analysis tools that help us track income information and program outcomes. By maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, we can tailor our services to meet the specific needs of low-to-moderate income individuals effectively and ensure that our resources are allocated to those who need them most. This commitment to meticulous tracking and assessment allows us to provide targeted support and make a meaningful impact in the lives of our community members in Wright County, Iowa. In summary, this project's multifaceted approach will create a community center that serves as a unifying and empowering force, enhancing the well-being and inclusivity of the community. It offers a wide range of resources, services, and opportunities, fostering a sense of belonging and support for all community members.