72 children from preschool to high school in Wright County received school supplies from Erica Lindeman’s nonprofit Gift of Giving in 2022. Erica and her volunteers plan to exceed that number for the 2023-2024 school year but need the community’s help.
The Gift of Giving began in 2020. Erica and her family realized a significant portion of Wright County would be unable to give their children Christmas gifts due to various economic challenges related to the pandemic. After meeting with the families, Erica noticed additional needs not being met through traditional outreach programs. “There is a lot of need in Wright County that most people are unaware of,” she stated. Erica has set her sights on meeting those needs. There is no stigma related to the quiet help those in Wright County receive from the Gift of Giving, Erica stated.
The Gift of Giving does not focus on one area of giving. The nonprofit set out to provide children with basic needs like food, clothing, or a new bed and ‘small things’ like a summer pool pass. Over the summer Erica Lindaman, who is also a teacher at the CGD school, implemented a meal train for a couple in need over the Summer while also teaming up with the school district and the local food pantry to extend summer lunches offered to our area children.
Erica and a few volunteers are currently focusing on the now-annual backpack drive. School supplies, backpacks, school clothing, and P.E. shoes are all items the organization is in need of. Donations can be dropped off at First State Bank, First Citizen’s Bank, or any of the community churches. You can also purchase supplies directly from the Gift of Giving’s Amazon Wishlist, https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3NNNPWU3DEQAV.
How can you help? Erica provided a few examples of community donations that have made a difference in the help she extends. Women in Dows supply homemade detergent throughout the year for Erica to give to families. Community members donate their gently used clothing and household items that Erica is able to then give to those in need, absolutely free of charge. Without these donations, some children in our area would not have clothing. Erica stressed to me the importance of these donations staying within our community, “Instead of donating your items to corporations like Goodwill, keep it in our community. Money raised, items given, everything, goes right back into our community where it is needed.”
Monetary support for the Gift of Giving can be dropped off at First State Bank into their nonprofit account. If you’re tech-savvy, the Gift of Giving also accepts donations through PayPal and Venmo. To request assistance from the Gift of Giving, to volunteer, or donate please contact the organization at 515-293-2911. You can also find them on their Facebook Group, “Gift of Giving”.
