STARTING STRONG: NV families benefit from school supplies giveaway

Back to school time was made a little easier for some Nodaway Valley families who attended a school supplies giveaway Monday night on the Greenfield Public Square.

A group that has run a donation center all summer at 176 Public Square in response to the tornado organized the event in conjunction with the Adair County MATURA Neighborhood Center and Nodaway Valley Elementary School.

Based on the number of backpacks that were left, Erika Mensing, who was one of the organizers of the event, said she thought 60-75 students were helped by the event. Elementary teachers and elementary principal James Larson helped hand out the supplies.

“Working in the school, I saw there was a need for this. Growing up, the church I went to did this every year, and as word got out, every year they were able to serve more and more students,” Mensing said. “Our hope was that we could take some burden off parents or students in our communities, whether they were impacted by the tornado or not. I think that starting the school year off with supplies was a win for those we were able to help.”

Comments heard from parents last night were that this event was “great.” Mensing said she saw signs of relief on parents’ faces that school supplies was one less expense they had to face with this year.

Those are the types of comments those who have run 176 Public Square have heard all summer. Lauren Johnson, Lisa Carstens, Michelle Norby and Connie Clark are some of the ladies who have been helping Mensing in the space that was provided by Dennis Kellenberg when the donation center transitioned out of the fitness center.

“I’m not glad for what has happened, but it has been inspiring to hear people’s stories,” Mensing said. “One gentleman came in and had just been released from the hospital. To hear his story, athat he’s up walking and said he would heal. People have come in really humble and asked us if we’re really sure we want them to take this or that. To see the relief on their faces that they have some clothes or bed sheets now, it makes them feel good for the days to come.”

For the school supplies giveaway, MATURA’s Raedeen Bigelow secured monetary donations from resources that she has. Students from Cumberland-Anita-Massena, Griswold and Burlington gathered donations that were given away at this event. One school district assembled boxes of school supplies with inspiring messages or drawings on the inside.

“I had always wanted to try to do a back to school event to serve others and I’m glad it was very successful. I hope we can do it next year if the funds and everything works out,” Mensing said. “It has been amazing to see everybody in our community come together and help each other out. I’ve been amazed at the generosity of people who are giving and not expecting anything in return.”

The donation center at 176 Public Square makes regular announcements on what they have in stock on the Facebook page “Greenfield Tornado Resources 2024.” There are phone numbers on the door of the donation center that can be texted if there is an emergent need.

The donation center will be closed from Aug. 18 to Aug. 31 for reorganizing. They will reopen Monday, Sept. 2 and be open 5-7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. The space is only big enough for one season of clothing at a time, so warm weather clothing will be put out and available when the center reopens.