When someone refers a new client to our shop we say ‘thanks’ with our Referral Reward Program, where we call them up and ask which non-profit they’d like to support and then we send that group a check. All the groups we give to during the year are put into competition for a year-end $1000 prize voted on by our clients and the public at large. If you’d like to know more about our Referral Reward Program, our few restrictions, the over $40,000 we’ve already given, or the hundreds of groups we’ve given to, just click here for the full story.
In this year’s competition we had 45 groups in the running covering aspects of do-gooding from grief counseling to tree planting to donkey retirement. 235 people voted (our largest voting response ever, and THANK YOU to everyone who participated!) with 29 of the 45 groups getting at least two votes. Voting went right down to the wire with two groups jockeying for position until the very last week, but there can be only one winner. This year the $1000 winner is…
The Wichita Center for Family & Community
The Wichita Center for Family & Community serves as a one-stop connection for families in the North Clackamas School District to find food, clothing, housing, dental care and after school programs. Their community partners help with early childhood education, child mental health issues, SNAP/TANF needs, WIC resources, and employment related daycare, and more.
According to Kathy Harrison, Family Services Coordinator for the Wichita Center,
“Since 2010, the North Clackamas School District (NCSD) has offered various services to help students and families in our school district. We also provide clothes for NCSD students. Thanks to donations from many community partners, we can support families with food, hygiene, and clothes for students. In 2024, we provided food to over 12,000 households, an increase of 18% over the previous year, and 53,000 individuals, a 22% increase from 2023.”
Charles Letherwood, Kathy Harrison, and a Wichita Staff Member with the Referral Reward award check
Kathy found time to take us on a quick tour when we came by to drop off their check. The Wichita Center is built in the remodeled 100-year-old Wichita Elementary School, which will bring back memories of your own elementary school no matter where it was, no matter when you went. But the classrooms have been converted into offices for social service professionals of all kinds; everything a family might need to make their school experience stable, secure, and well… educational.
The Food Pantry’s bulging shelves
Packing fresh fruit for the Food Pantry
School supplies ready for hands and minds
The clothing pantry in the old gym
An essential service and showpiece of the Center is its full food pantry set to distribute to individuals or 2, 3, and 4 member families. When we visited, staffers were packing the fresh fruits and vegetables that would soon be on the shelves. The Pantry itself offers these fresh foods alongside dry goods and prepared meals as well as paper and hygiene products.
What’s more essential to an education than school supplies? Wichita has it all, ready to go from their remodeled classroom into an actual classroom of today.
Finally, Wichita has its own clothing store located in the remodeled gym. You’ll find clothing of all sizes for all members of the family. Look closely at that bottom picture… can you spot the leftover details from the old gym?
Wichita Center for Family & Community continues to be a critical part of the North Clackamas School system, as it has been for so many years. They’re always on the lookout for donations of clean, GOOD CONDITION clothes, food, or your valuable money. And they’re even more on the lookout for your even more valuable time. If you have materials, money, or time to invest in the education of the next generation, give Wichita a call and they’ll put it all to the best possible use.
