Handbags for Hope: Free Purses Bring Smiles to 24 Women

24 Handbags donated by Handbags for Hope

In March, Hope Center Pantry received 24 lovely purses that were kindly donated by an organization called Handbags for Hope. The Brown County, Wisconsin, chapter of Handbags for Hope was started in February 2016 by three teachers from Northeast Wisconsin. These gently used purses were filled with personal hygiene supplies and beauty items. Each bag was tagged with a forget-me-not flower logo. Handbags for Hope organizers chose the forget-me-not symbol because a lot of women feel like they are forgotten or overlooked. This flower reminds them of how special and beautiful they are.

Handbags for Hope Purse Distribution

With such a nice variety of handbags available, the women selected a purse that was perfect for them. The ability to choose a handbag added a critical level of dignity to the handbag distribution. The purses brought so many quiet smiles to the pantry clients. Handbags for Hope truly is a wonderful cause. It provides purses for women who might not be in a situation to purchase a purse themselves.

Contact Us to Organize a Collection Drive

Thanks to Handbags for Hope for helping address a need here in Brown County, Wisconsin. Hope Center Pantry was honored to receive and distribute this donation. If your school, business, or nonprofit is interested in organizing a food drive or collection drive for Hope Center Pantry, please contact us. Help us serve and guide those who are in need.

Hunger is a Problem: Matching Gifts Are Part of the Solution

photo of volunteers of all ages to represent corporate matching gift programs

Financial donations play a huge part in the Hope Center Pantry’s ability to run day-to-day operations. When the pantry receives monetary donations, pantry volunteers have the flexibility to purchase items that clients need the most. Typically, the greatest needs are food and personal hygiene items. The Hope Center Pantry takes pride in giving high-quality items to clients, who truly appreciate the free food and other items. Monetary donations allow the pantry to improve the lives of so many people in Brown County, Wisconsin.

Corporate Matching Gifts Programs

Some corporations make matching gifts to support their employees’ charitable causes. Does your company match your charitable donations? If the answer is yes, please consider donating to Hope Center Pantry. The pantry contributes to the food security of over 400 households each month, representing over 1,500 family members.

Cost to Fill a Box for a Family in Green Bay

When determining the size of a monetary donation to give Hope Center Pantry, consider how many families you will be feeding. Hope Center Pantry fills boxes of different sizes, based on the size of the client’s family. The cost to fill each box varies, but the approximate costs are:

  • X-Large family – $53.48
  • Large family – $45.10
  • Small family – $32.65
  • Single family – $21.61

Tax-Deductible Charitable Donations

We encourage individuals who work at a company-match corporation to donate to Hope Center Pantry. We will be happy to provide a tax receipt to give to employers as proof of the donation. Hope Center Pantry mails tax receipts for all donations over $250. For charitable donations less than $250, Hope Center Pantry will send a tax receipt upon request. Donors can email Hopecenterpantrygb@gmail.com to request a tax receipt. Please include the check number and date of the check in the email.

Feeding the Hungry of Brown County

The need for food assistance in Brown County, Wisconsin, is high. In January 2023, Hope Center Pantry served 471 clients – representing a total of 1,774 family members. In a community where hunger is a real problem, donors and matching-gift corporations like you are part of the solution. Thank you for your generosity.

Pantry Hits Record, Thanks Grocer for Holiday Food Drive

Chris and Janice Clemens, directors of Hope Center Pantry with food from holiday food drive

What a fantastic way to begin the New Year 2023! Save-A-Lot grocery store on Dousman Street in Green Bay organized a “Holiday Kindness” food collection. Save-A-Lot donated 85 bags of groceries to Hope Center Pantry. Hope Center Pantry is extremely grateful for this holiday food drive organized by this Green Bay West Side merchant. Special thanks to the grocery store’s management for organizing the holiday food drive. Also, thanks to Save-A-Lot customers who purchased and donated these groceries.

Holiday Food Drive Helps Pantry Feed 471

Events like this holiday food drive are so important, especially since the Hope Center Pantry served a record number of clients in January. Hope Center Pantry served 471 clients – representing a total of 1,774 family members – in January 2023. In February, the number of clients decreased a bit.

COVID-19 FoodShare Benefits Ended

Hope Center Pantry directors predict that the need for food assistance will rise again in the spring and summer. That’s because the federal government’s COVID-19 benefit program ended. Starting in 2020, FoodShare members received extra benefits each month as part of the federal COVID-19 pandemic relief program. The extra FoodShare benefits ended in February. Fortunately, with the help of donations like those from Save-A-Lot shoppers, Hope Center Pantry is stocked and ready to provide food assistance for residents of Brown County, Wisconsin.

Pantry Hours & Eligibility Requirements

Hope Center Pantry is open from 1-3pm Monday through Thursday at 505 Clinton St. Green Bay, Wisconsin. People accepting food are asked to present a picture ID and a current piece of mail. If either of these forms of identification is not available, clients can talk with the Hope Center Pantry staff to find other possible ways to qualify for food assistance. No income verification is necessary. Hope Center Pantry encourages anyone who is in a rough spot, even temporarily, to stop by the food bank.