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Live United by Erin Haag

The United Way team knew that many of our shoppers would also need to access the Winter Gear Drive. We wanted to make sure we had a Saturday option, but struggled with finding the date that would work for us with staff and volunteers. We settled on one day — pantry in the morning, and winter gear in the afternoon. We talked briefly about hosting it at the same time, but we felt it would be too much for us to manage, and anything we can do to reduce chaos is better for everyone. So the 16th it was, and Krissy and I geared up for what we knew would be a long day.
The pantry went well, and we rolled right into Winter Gear appointments. The appointment system is going well, and everyone has positive feedback on it so far. Someone came to me and was worried because one of our local boxes was empty and they were worried no one was donating coats. I reassured them that it’s empty because they get picked up regularly, and we’re getting these coats out! This week, a social worker in one of our rural communities reached out for a pair of snow boots for a kiddo. Yep, we had a brand-new blue pair for this child, and a volunteer who lived near there happened to be just leaving. I quickly asked if they could drop it off, and the boots were on their way within the hour.

A family came in to shop at the pantry that morning and the winter gear in the afternoon. It’s a family that has had its challenges, with a mother that fiercely loves her children and grandchildren. The adult sisters brought their children in. Volunteers held the newest member of the family, a sweet 3-month-old who smiled gummy smiles at us. We sent that 3-month-old home with handmade baby quilts and handmade burp cloths and some baby clothes.

In the same family, a pair of toddler twins were excited to play in our play kitchen. One of the twins let me help her with a pair of snow bibs, making sure they fit over the AFO brace she wears.

We took one pink shoe off but left the other one on, hoping those snow bibs would fit over them, making it easier for her mom and caregivers to get her ready for snow play. They did, and she ran around the space, refusing to take it back off. As her mom helped her twin and brother, she ran around. Wanting to give mom space to look, I playfully opened my arms, encouraging kiddo to come hang out with me. She ran straight to me, and then I wasn’t allowed to put her down. So, she came along for the ride. I told her she was a little hot water bottle and asked if I could help her take off her snow bibs. She refused and fell in love with a water bottle that was on the free table. Since she was warm but not wanting to take her snow bibs off, I took her to get some water.

She was happy with the water but very upset with me that I had the audacity to put some in her new water bottle. So empty water bottles and a little cup of water it was. Pretty soon, her little head was snuggling into my shoulder and her older, but still little brother was fussy. The moms quickly finished up, and we helped the family herd the children into the car, getting buckled into the car seat. I relinquished my new little friend.

We have a shopper who we’ve built a relationship with. He’ll bring people in to help them sign up to shop. Someone doesn’t have a phone? We leave a message on his phone and he’ll pass it along. Someone is homeless or couch surfing? He’ll bring them in, and let us know the situation, so we can gently offer a backpack with a blanket, and adjust the pantry limits so they are able to take more travel friendly food. The night turned cold, and he was helping out, reliable and steady as always. He had a thin jacket, and I asked him if he had a coat, if he was warm enough. He told me he just got chilled for a minute but he’d be fine. Then, a few minutes later he said, “Well, do you have any of those gloves?” He meant the cotton gloves we give for volunteers when we’re working with the freezer items. I took him back to the glove/hat table and he kept asking me, “Are you sure?” Yes, I’m sure. He went home with a pair of gloves, and with me worrying about his thin jacket.

Every year, there’s something that we really need more of. This year, I’m noticing that it’s waterproof gloves for teenagers and adults. We have beautiful handmade mittens, and those are often popular with the women but unfortunately, we’re looking for the gloves that can hold up to the colder weather outside. A working man’s glove, in practical materials and muted colors. It’s hard enough for me to get men to accept things, like this shopper.

If you’re on social media, and curious what our latest needs are, we’re working to get our list posted of what the needs are. We’ll also post it on our website at http://unitedwayfc.org. We know that we have some donations on the way, and so far we’ve met all the requests of the social workers. We have one more appointment-based distribution day on Dec. 10. The next week, we’ll be hosting distribution days without an appointment, and focusing on the social worker requests before Christmas break, along with the Jingle program. We always look ahead though — we know these social workers will encounter students with needs through the winter, and we want to be prepared to help them in January, February and March.

As of today, we have 25 more days that we’ll be working with our community in 2024. I’ll be giving presentations, telling our story as much as possible. We’re campaigning with workplaces, and I’ve got three grants in the hopper. It’s a wild mixture of campaigns, working with our programs to directly serve our community members in need, and strategic planning for 2025. It’s the most inspiring, most tiring and most joyful time of the year. If you’d like to be a part of that, your donation directly impacts the lives of people living right here in our community. Donations can be sent to PO Box 686, Albert Lea, MN, 56007. Your donation helps support 11 area-nonprofits, the Welcome Pantry, Winter Gear Drive, 2-1-1 and Imagination Library. Donations can also be accepted on our website. Questions? Give us a call at 507-373-8670.

Erin Haag is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.