Nick Loomis
In this 2007 photo, Adams Elementary School students Alex Wulf (left), Caleb Elick, Preston Estes and Camryn Chandler inspect corn plants during a horticulture lesson provided by The Garden Growers in Davenport. More photos from this shoot
This season, many nonprofit organizations are helping people and the environment throughout the Radish region. At the same time, many of those organizations are seeing fewer donations, at least in part because of widespread economic troubles.
The National Council of Nonprofits puts it simply: "In tough economic times, people turn to their local nonprofits for help. ... But the increased demands for help hit nonprofits at the same time that their own revenues decline because of the economy."
That's why it's important to lend a hand.Whether you open your checkbook, donate your time or drop off a bag of gently used clothing, helping others -- and the environment, too -- will give you the greatest gift in return: a joyful heart.
The Clothes Closet Resale Shoppe, 322 N. Main St., Galena, was opened by the United Churches of Galena in July to help struggling families. The shop offers men's, women's (including maternity) and children's clothes, shoes, accessories and some name-brand items. Volunteers staff the shop 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Donations may be dropped off at the rear entrance on Bench Street any time on Friday and Saturday, with receipts given during regular business hours. Cash donations to help with expenses also are accepted.For more information, call (815) 776-0895.
Habitat for Humanity builds and refurbishes houses with people in need, and local affiliates throughout the Radish region are in need of volunteers, donations and even lightly used construction materials for its Habitat ReStores, which resell these items at reduced prices. In densely-populated areas, the need for land on which to build is great, says Bobbi Burgstone, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Illinois. In rural areas, volunteers are harder to find. Monetary donations, Burgstone says, are especially needed in the current economy. To find a Habitat affiliate near you, visit habitat.org and enter your ZIPcode.
Community gardens are beginning to gain widespread recognition, but The Garden Growers in Davenport have been giving neighbors a place to grow food and connect for more than a decade. The challenge, says director Julia Blazevic, is funding. "With the economy being the way it is, donations are not what they once were." Right now the nonprofit is seeking funding to help bring city water service to its Goose Hollow Garden at the corner of 9th and Ripley Streets in Davenport. The group also needs volunteers who can start seeds for spring transplanting and pull weeds in summer. New hand tools, such as spades, shovels and rakes, also are requested. To help, call Julia Blazevic at (563) 359-7577 or visit qcgardengrowers.org and fill out the form. Checks may be mailed to The Garden Growers, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, IA 52722.
Before the flood of 2008 destroyed their building, Henry Davison, 83, and other volunteers served breakfast for the homeless from the H. D. Youth Center, 1006 3rd St. SE, which Davison established in 1997 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to help keep kids off the street. Now other locations throughout the city host the center's Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners, as well as its back-to-school program. The center needs volunteers, nonperishable food items, and cash donations. The latter especially is needed as the organization closes in on a new location. Donations may be sent to H.D. YouthCenter, P.O. Box 74273, Cedar Rapids, IA 52407. For more information, call (319) 363-5239 or visit hdyouthcenter.com.
In July, Loaves and Fishes, Etc., provided food and other assistance to 410 households in McDonough County, Ill. "That was an all-time high for us," says Susan Lawhorn, a volunteer board member for the nonprofit organization in Macomb. Loaves and Fishes, Etc. is run by 10 churches in the county and serves people who live there, providing food vouchers that work like grocery-store gift certificates. When possible, the organization also helps people with other necessities like medical and utility bills. Earlier this year, it provided a couple of no-interest loans. This season, the nonprofit needs monetary donations. To help, send a check to Loaves and Fishes, Etc., 400 E. Carrol, Macomb, IL 61455. For more information, call (309) 836-3663 between 1 and 4 p.m. weekdays.
Local Foods Connection of Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines distributes fresh produce, eggs, humanely-raised meat and other products from local, earth-friendly farms to area families in need, including by purchasing CSA shares on behalf of participating families. Funded primarily by donations from local individuals, Local Foods Connection now is gearing up to distribute meat to participants for holiday meals. Donations received now will help the program enroll more families for the next growing season and to reserve their CSA shares in advance. To make a donation or to learn more, visit www.localfoodsconnection.org, call (319) 338-2010 or e-mail Laura Dowd at localfoodsconnection@yahoo.com.
The Sustainable Living Coalition (SLC) was founded in 2004 to empower individuals and organizations to live in the abundant flow of natural systems. Located on 12 acres just south of Abundance Eco Village in Fairfield, the SLC not only teaches participants through hands-on workshops, but gives the experience of living on a working demonstration site featuring cob-and-straw-bale buildings, solar and wind energy, waste and water management systems, and organic gardening. Contact Briggs Shore at (641) 430-1089 or briggsshore@gmail.com to arrange to drop off building and gardening supplies. Or send monetary donations to the Sustainable Living Coalition, 2151 185th St. Lot 1, Fairfield, IA 52556.
Table to Table rescues food and feeds those in need. The Johnson County, Iowa, charity's wish list is simple: monetary donations and, of course, food. The nonprofit serves 26 agencies by providing them with wholesome food that the organization picks up from donating businesses. "Monetary donations are always critical," says Bob Andrlik, executive director. Money is needed for overhead costs, such as vehicle maintenance, fuel, utilities and insurance. "We're always looking for volunteers," Andrlik says. To learn more about donating food or holding a food, call (319) 337-3400. The group's Web site is table2table-ic.org.
Trees Forever, with headquarters inMarion, Iowa, plants and maintains trees and prairie in Iowa and Illinois. Its goals include building community, improving water quality and beautifying roadsides. Trees Forever can use monetary donations and volunteers for a variety of projects. At its home office, staffers need help with tasks like entering data and stuffing envelopes. To help, call (319) 373-0650 or visit treesforever.org.
The White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center (WHOA) in Rock Falls, Ill., gives people with disabilities an opportunity to learn horseback riding while having fun and being social. WHOAneeds volunteers, leaders and donations, both of money and equipment, including reins, grooming tools, saddles, halters, lead ropes and more. For a complete list of items, visit http://whiteoakscenter.org or call (815) 537-5168, extension 46. You can send a check to WHOA, 22531 Prophet Road, RockFalls, IL61071.
Radish writers Liz Bulasko, Linda Egenes, Lindsay Hocker, Jen Knights, AnnScholl Rinehart and BrandyWelvaert contributed to this story.
