It started with one question:
What does a person really need to feel at home?
For the members of Royal Neighbors Chapter 20320 in Newaygo, Mich., the answer unfolded over a conversation with the homeless and unhoused director at TrueNorth Community Services, a Newaygo County organization that helps individuals and families transition out of homelessness. TrueNorth’s team described a gap that is easily overlooked: when someone finally secures housing, they often arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. No towels, no dishes, and no sense of a home that is theirs.
With a shared vision to make a difference, the project blossomed into a true collaborative effort. Word spread to family members, neighbors, church community members, and Royal Neighbors friends who gave their time and donated items to this cause. The effort was supported through the Royal Neighbors Difference Maker Fund, which helped offset project costs and empowered the group to expand their impact. By the time the project was complete, volunteers had dedicated approximately 45 hours to planning, collecting donated goods, purchasing needed supplies, and assembling and delivering five overflowing welcome baskets. Not only do these baskets provide necessities, but also comfort along with a sense of a fresh start.
What’s inside each basket:
- 4 glasses, 4 plates, 4 bowls, and 4 cups
- 1 pan with lid
- 1 microwave-safe dish
- 2 dishcloths
- 2 kitchen towels
- Hand soap, dish soap, and laundry soap
- Paper towels
- 1 laundry basket
- 1 blanket
- 1 multi-surface cleaner
- 2 washcloths
- 2 bath towels
- Plunger
- Toilet paper
- Shower curtain and shower curtain rings
Every item was thoughtfully chosen. Balancing practical needs, like a plunger and paper towels, with touches of dignity, like a set of matching plates, shows that a home is worth caring for and worth setting a table for. Each supply echoes this message: Your home matters. You deserve to be here.
The moment of delivery turned out to be more moving than anyone anticipated. On the day when the baskets arrived at TrueNorth’s offices, the staff were visibly thrilled. They shared that one basket was headed out that very same afternoon, to an apartment where a domestic violence survivor and her children were moving in.
Five baskets, assembled by many hands, ready to reach people the moment they need them most. That is community at its best.
Ready to make a difference?
As a Royal Neighbors member, you can apply for a Difference Maker Fund grant once a year to help offset the costs of your volunteer project. If approved, you will receive a check for up to $200 to make a positive social impact in your community.
Learn more and apply at royalneighbors.org/dmf.