A movement that began as a modest Facebook group now has a brick-and-mortar location to assist those in need.
Gracious Givers of Manitowoc has purchased the former Book Nook store at 2516 Womer Street, and has turned it into a community center, with a goal of helping the community locate resources.
As you walk in the iconic purple door, there are numerous brochures for a wide array of services in Manitowoc, but as co-founder Ashley Brown tells SeehaferNews.com, they are more than that.
“We don’t want you to just come in and send you out with a piece of paper,” she explained. “We want you to walk in and sit down with us, and we will help you call any resources that we can think of to help you.”
Volunteers will also be on hand to help those who would like some assistance applying for jobs as they try to get back on track.
On top of resource assistance, Gracious Givers has a wide array of coats, shoes, blankets, pillows, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and a whole lot more for those who need just a little extra help.
Co-Founder Karey Roberts noted that they will need some help to keep it that way.
“Everything that we have so far comes in by donation,” she noted. “So as it’s going out, we need to be able to replenish.”
Additionally, the Gracious Givers Community Center will also be serving as an Emergency Relief Center.
“It actually came about because of all of the fires that have been recently happening, like there was the apartment fire and we were able to help a lot of the families from that fire,” Roberts said. “We made some calls and tried to find out where the relief centers were in town. And we found out that there was a need for a relief center that actually has items on hand that they can come and pick up what they need.”
The Community and Emergency Relief Center will be hosting a grand opening on April 1st and April 5th, which will also feature a fundraiser where baskets are being raffled off.
On those days, they will be open 11:00 to 5:00 p.m. While they do have Erie Insurance as a sponsor, the program is always looking for more help.
You can learn more about Gracious Givers of Manitowoc by visiting their Facebook page or emailing GraciousGiversManitowoc@gmail.com.
