Springfield nonprofits ask for community's support on Giving Tuesday

Following the shopping frenzy of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, nonprofits ask for their community's support during the winter season. Over the last 10 years, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving has been observed as Giving Tuesday. This year, it's Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Giving Tuesday is an international movement, encouraging people to "give, collaborate and celebrate generosity." On a local level, several nonprofits are managing Giving Tuesday-specific campaigns to raise funds for special projects. Others are continuing to ask for year-round support through monetary donations or volunteerism. The international Giving Tuesday campaign encourages folks to use the #GivingTuesday hashtag to share how they are helping their communities.

United Way of the Ozarks

This Giving Tuesday, United Way of the Ozarks is aiming to raise $1,500 for programming that creates pathways out of poverty for families, like safe and stable housing, financial literacy courses, and workforce training.

Folks who donate at least $25 will be entered into a giveaway to win a swag bag, which includes a t-shirt, travel coffee mug, koozie and pair of socks.

To make a donation, visit the United Way of the Ozarks' Facebook page at facebook.com/uwozarks/ or text "BETTERTOGETHER" to 40403.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri uses Giving Tuesday as the kickstarter for its Home for the Holidays campaign. Each year, the campaign helps raise money to build a home for a family in need.

This year, Habitat for Humanity is working with Justin and Jenny Mantonya and their three children.

"A home for the holidays will really allow Jenny's personality to shine," Justin Mantonya said in a news release. "She loves to decorate and make memories for our family, which is tough to do in a rental."

The Mantonyas' home completion is dependent on their finalization of required Habitat courses, along with Habitat for Humanity's building schedule, said Daniel Schekorra, director of marketing and communication.

Habitat for Humanity's Home for the Holidays campaign starts on Giving Tuesday and continues through December. To support the Mantonya family, donate online at give.habitatspringfieldmo.org/ge/hh2023.

Habitat for Humanity is also hosting register round-ups at local businesses and its ReStore at 2410 S. Scenic Ave.

Ozarks Food Harvest

Ozarks Food Harvest has set a fundraising goal of $60,000 for Giving Tuesday to provide more than 240,000 meals to children, families and seniors in the Ozarks. Feed Missouri, A-1 Guarantee Roofing and American National will match donations up to $15,000.

To make a donation, visit the Ozarks Food Harvest website at ozarksfoodharvest.org/donate/. According to the Ozarks Food Harvest website, every $10 donated is equivalent to 40 meals.

In addition to the one-day fundraiser, Ozarks Food Harvest is partnering with local grocery stores for the 24th annual Check Out Hunger campaign. The campaign began Nov. 1 and will continue through Dec. 31.

Grocery store customers will have the option to round-up or add a $1, $3 or $5 tax-free donation to their bill at the register. Those who make a donation should receive a paper apple to sign to have on display at the retailer.

This year, participating grocers include Apple Market, Country Market, Harter House, King Cash Saver, King Food Saver, Price Cutter, Ramey, Rhodes Family Price Chopper, Town & Country Supermarket and Woods Supermarket.

"The need is urgent because we're now serving more families than we were at the height of the COVID crisis," Bart Brown, Ozarks Food Harvest president, said in a news release.

In 2021, the Check Out Hunger campaign raised about $54,000, providing more than 210,000 meals to those in need.

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland

For Giving Tuesday, Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is hosting an online fundraiser to support girls in central and southern Missouri, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma.

Aside from the one-day fundraiser, folks may give to the organization monthly, "pay it forward" for another family's membership, donate needed items for local chapters and honor those who have died with a tribute or memorial gift. For more information about other ways to support Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, visit the organization's website at girlscoutsmoheartland.org/en/donate/donate.html.

To make a donation to the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, give online at girlscoutsmoheartland.networkforgood.com/.

Convoy of Hope

Through the holiday season and stressed on Giving Tuesday, Convoy of Hope promotes their Gift Catalog, which sends aid to communities in need globally. The catalog includes six gift categories: greatest need, children's feeding, women's empowerment, agriculture, disaster relief and rural initiatives.

The "gifts" available for purchase within each category represent work that Convoy of Hope is doing in the field. The price of each "gift" is based on a global average, as actual costs vary based on program locations, Hal Donaldson, Convoy of Hope president, said in a news release.

Access the Gift Catalog online at bit.ly/3AgoYD5. While supplies last, folks who purchase from the Gift Catalog will receive a complimentary Convoy of Hope stocking cap.

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The Kitchen

The Kitchen is hosting its #600DaysofHousing fundraiser this Giving Tuesday.

A donation of $35 provides one day of housing for an individual in need, according to a news release from The Kitchen. The organization has set a goal of raising enough money to provide 600 days of housing.

To give to the fundraiser, donate online at bit.ly/3AnkcUt.

Humane Society of Southwest Missouri

Right now, the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri is hosting a Board of Directors' Matching Challenge. Each dollar donated will be matched by the organization's board of directors.

On Giving Tuesday, folks can donate monetarily to the no-kill shelter online, in person at 3161 W. Norton Road or over the phone at 417-833-2526.

The shelter also has an Amazon Wishlist, if folks are interested in gifting supplies in need. When purchasing from the Amazon Wishlist, all items are sent directly to the shelter. Access the wish list online at bit.ly/3OuRqY9.

Katie Newcomb, humane society marketing manager, said the shelter is in dire need of pet food right now. When it comes to dog food, the shelter prefers Purina One Dog Chow, Puppy Chow and canned food. For cats, Purina One and Friskies Pate canned food are good options.

To support the humane society, donate online at flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTcxMjM0.

Life360 Community Services

This Giving Tuesday, Life360 Community Services is raising money for its Nutrition Services Program, a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture.

Through the Nutrition Services Program, Life360 provides well-rounded meals to school districts in Missouri and Arkansas. Meals are served to students in the classroom at the end of the school day and include servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and meat/meat alternatives.

Life360 works with rural communities in the region, including Branson West, Chadwick, Conway, Fordland, Monett, Republic and Spokane. Across 125 different school districts, Life360 feeds about 29,000 children, according to Life360 marketing manager Katy Chambers.

To support Life360's Nutrition Services Program, donate online at bit.ly/3E9EnGK or by cash/check at the Life360 office at 2220 W. Chesterfield Boulevard. Folks may choose to make a one-time donation or give monthly.

Life360's mission is to reduce poverty's effects on families and communities through providing meals, housing and education.

The Connecting Grounds

During the winter season, organizations like The Connecting Grounds are in an even greater need for support from the community.

Along with monetary donations, The Connecting Grounds manages an Amazon Wishlist for winter outreach with a variety of survival supplies, like thermal underwear, industrial trash bags, rain ponchos and foil blankets. When buying from the wish list link directly, items will be shipped to The Connecting Grounds. Access the wish list at bit.ly/3WZtCzr.

The Connecting Grounds also has a variety of shirts and hoodies for sale at bonfire.com/store/connectinggrounds/. All of these proceeds go back to The Connecting Grounds' outreach programs.

To make a monetary donation, give online at theconnectinggrounds.churchcenter.com/giving/, mail in to PO Box 8960 Springfield, MO 65801 or visit The Connecting Grounds at 4341 W. Chestnut Expressway.

Springfield Art Museum

The Springfield Art Museum is managing a special campaign for Giving Tuesday, asking for help in preserving the historic Colonial Hotel Columns, which frame the museum's outdoor amphitheater.

The Colonial Hotel Columns were a part of the Colonial Hotel, built in 1907 at 205 S. Jefferson Ave. The six-story building served as a hub for dances, proms and political meetings for several decades. But in 1997, the building was demolished. At this time, the columns were put into storage and later were installed in Phelps Grove Park, then on the museum's campus.

Now over 115 years old, the columns are in need of repair and a sealant to ensure their preservation.

Folks who donate $25 or more to the project will be recognized on signage, to be placed near the columns in spring 2023. Those who donate $100 or more will receive a complimentary membership to the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, which provides free admission to over 1,000 arts and culture museums in the country.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 15, $128 of the $2,500 goal had been raised. Donate online at causemomentum.org/projects/conserve-the-art-museum-s-iconic-columns.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Giving Tuesday encourages community to give back to local nonprofits