Outreach Christian Church

The school community closet Warrior Closet gives every kid who visits for back-to-school backpack and school clothes shopping a brand new pair of shoes to start school in. We are preparing for our August 5th opening back. We had 99 kids come through last year for the three-day 6hrs of events. I like to put this out early so people contributing can keep an eye on the sales and when, especially Famous footwear and or Rackroom, do buy one get one 1/2 off bogos on shoes and backpacks. They also put a lot of shoes on clearance that you can buy with the BOGOs too. The kids 11 through size 1 love the character shoes. The 2 and or above ones I would do something they can wear more with everything.

This request is to help a single mother and her elementary student furnish their new apartment. The family arrived in the United States one year ago and were residing with extended family in a 2-bedroom apartment. Due to domestic violence, the family left and through the support of CarePortal, were able to secure their own apartment. The family does not have the financial means to furnish their new space. The family does not have living room furniture such as a couch or chairs. A staff member at the student's school has offered to donate those items, however we do not currently have a way to transport them to the family. The family also is in need of kitchen utensils and cookware, plates, bowls, and cups, two dressers, kitchen chairs, and cleaning supplies. They currently do not own any cleaning items to be able to use.

The father is struggling to pay for food while sending his teenage son to a sitter during the day. The sitter has a hard time supporting a second child in the home, food wise. The father is requesting some sort of assistance. This worker is requesting a gift card to either Wal-Mart, Aldi's, or Hy-Vee.

The family just had a baby a week ago and is need of formula.

Older youth is moving into his first apartment on 5/15 and is set to age out of care on 6/19. Agency is working on gathering furniture and resources he will need to support him in his new apartment and set him up for success before he ages out of care. Household items or gift cards for household items to purchase things such as bedding, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, etc. would be very helpful. At this time, the youth has nothing other than clothing and is starting from scratch.

Older youth is moving into his first apartment on 5/15 and is set to age out of care on 6/19. Agency is working on gathering furniture and resources he will need to support him in his new apartment and set him up for success before he ages out of care. Area programs for beds have a waitlist. Youth is in need of a bedframe and mattress.

Family became homeless after their apartment was hit by a tornado in April 2023. Since this time they have lived with various friends and family members. They have recently been approved to move into an apartment of their own but need items to make this new place a home. Once this happens my student and their family will have their own home for the first time in 2 years.

Mom noted that a queen or full would work for her and her partner. They are not picky, just grateful.

Move in date is May 16.

We have recently placed a toddler and infant in the home with their mother. The family does not have a washing machine. The washing machine would help the family as small children can create a lot of laundry. The family resides in an upper apartment and it is difficult to bring all the laundry to a laundry mat while having two young children to care for.

We are requesting packages of underpants for the following sizes: Girls size 3 Girls 4 Girls 5/6 Girls 7/8

Boys 3 Boys 4 Boys 5/6 Boys 7/8

Pull ups: Girls and Boys: 4T/5T- 2 boxes $50 5T/6T - 2 boxes $50

Boxes of Baby Wipes: 2 boxes- $35 each

This is to have spare in the office if a child has an accident, and to help provide to families in financial need.

Mom is in need of a new carpet and some new furniture. Mom has tried to clean up the carpet, but every time she attempts to clean it, it still get messy. Mom is wanting to get rid of it entirely, but doesn't have the funds. Mom also lacks some furniture in the home and could use help getting a couch or two.

This family is currently in a Temporary Alternative Placement Agreement with Children's Division. The great grandmother of the child has taken full caretaking responsibility while the father works on substance abuse treatment. The new addition to the great grandmothers responsibilities has taxed her ability to financially make ends meet. The child needs to attend daycare so the great grandmother can work during the day and recently she paid for the childs daycare from her funds saved for rent.

By helping make up the funds she needed to take from her rent and paying for the remaining balance of the daycare this family will continue to care for the 3 year old child with autism while the father receives the substance abuse treatment he desperately needs.

On March 28th, this family had a police high speed chase on their street, and as a result one of the cars involved in the chase totaled both of their vehicles and went through the front of their house. This family has been financially devastated by the unexpected expenses while waiting for insurance reimbursements to come through. They are currently living in a hotel until the house is repaired and utilizing has many community resources as possible, such as food pantries but do not qualify for many resources due to not typically being a low income family. As of today, the family only has a couple of hundred dollars left to last them through the beginning of next month.

Currently, the family has $719 in miscellaneous bills such as gas, insurance premiums, hospital payment plans, and others. Additionally, they are having to pay out of pocket for hotel costs until reimbursements can come through. The family is so grateful for any assistance. We are asking for $1,500 to cover the miscellaneous bills and the remainder to go towards the hotel costs until their house is able to be repaired. Thank you for your consideration.

UPDATE- the family is back in the home, while safe to be in, the repairs are not complete and insurance is still a struggle. (CG)