Beyond the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this is also a time to reflect on the year with thankfulness, gratitude, and a spirit of giving back to those in need.
“Many of us take for granted the simple things in life like our pillow or towels,” said United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) Executive Director Erin Shay. “But for those getting back on their feet after a crisis, those little things are major.”
In 2007, UWNEMN established its Comforts of Home program, partnering with local stores to provide new, unopened household items to local individuals and families in need through a referral program. People are most often referred to Comforts of Home after experiencing a house fire, leaving an unsafe living environment, or transitioning out of homelessness.
Range Mental Health Center Care Coordinator Beth Pontinen, LPN, regularly refers individuals to the program and said the items received through Comforts of Home are essential and have a great impact.
“Clients leave with a new sense of achievement and empowerment. I think that is something we can all appreciate,” she said.
Comforts of Home is available to any individual or family experiencing crisis living or working in UWNEMN’s service area which includes the Iron Range, Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County. It’s a one-time use program and serves more than 1,200 local adults and children each year; so far this year 1,301 people have been referred by local agencies or received Comforts of Home items.
“As someone who makes referrals to Comforts of Home, the compassion shared between the two organizations is incredible,” said Pontinen. “UWNEMN’s Comforts of Home helps pull people together towards solutions instead of tearing them apart.”
Comforts of Home provides essentials like pillows, towels, hygiene products, and clothing. Depending on what stores donate, available items fluctuate but often include dishes, small appliances, kitchen utensils, and bathroom supplies.
In addition, UWNEMN this year received funding from the Northland Foundation to create “Welcome Home Baskets” for families and individuals referred to Comforts of Home. Baskets are filled with staples when moving like cleaning supplies and paper products.
New items for Comforts of Homes shelves are regularly donated by local Walmart and Lowe’s stores. Bed Bath & Beyond was an original partner of the program, but since those stores have been shuttered, UWNEMN has begun purchasing high need items that are not often donated.
According to UWNEMN Education and Childhood Programs Specialist Sarah Gardeski who coordinates the Comforts of Home program bedding and towels are most in-demand.
“Each referral situation is completely different,” she said. “And while we can’t guarantee we will have everything that someone wants, we will do our very best to ensure every person who uses the program leaves with those critical items that really make them feel at home.”
UWNEMN will be directing all funds raised on Giving Tuesday – the philanthropic counterpart to Black Friday or Cyber Monday – to purchase items for the Comforts of Home program.
Ways to Support Comforts of Home
- Help UWNEMN Purchase Items this Giving Tuesday!
- Visit: www.unitedwaynemn.org/give
- Call: 218-254-3329
- Mail: 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719 (please denote: Comforts of Home)
- Donate New Household Items
- Shop UWNEMN’s Comforts of Home Registry for items to be delivered: www.unitedwaynemn.org/coh-registry
- Drop off new household items at: 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN