Thank you

We were thrilled to learn our wonderful Family Educator Collette was selected to receive over 350 school supplies and books from the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF), sponsored by PNC Financial Services Group! In honor of Black History Month, PNC provided diverse and age-appropriate books, in addition to the many school supplies we received from KINF. These amazing donations are now making their way into the hands of children across the Twin Cities.

A whopping 99% of teachers in the United States purchase school supplies for their students out of their personal funds. In response to that need, KINF provides critical resources to students and educators, and have been a valued partner with Way to Grow for many years. As you can see, our Family Educators were very excited to receive these supplies. Way to go, Collette!

Way to Grow recently received over 1,403 books from a Barnes & Noble holiday book drive at their Mall of America location. These beautiful new books were sorted by age level, making it easy for our Family Educators to distribute much needed books to the families they serve. We are so thankful for companies like Barnes & Noble that care about literacy and use their platform to help get books into the hands of our younger readers. Thank you Barnes & Noble! 

Way to Grow has been beyond blessed by the gracious giving of our friends at the Manhattan Toy Company in Minneapolis. Box after box of dolls, rattles, plushies, books, and blocks arrived in our offices. We could not be more grateful and our staff and their families could not have been more thrilled! To have a special doll to hug, when there is so much change all around us brings hope. The children were so excited to receive these wonderful gifts of kindness! Thank you again to our great friends at Manhattan Toy Company! 

In 2019, Way to Grow moved into new offices better designed to meet its staffing needs, in the Harrison Neighborhood situated between Bryn Mawr and downtown Minneapolis. Staff soon discovered the Bryn Mawr Market, a family owned and run grocery store that is open 365 days a year.  

“During a visit to Bryn Mawr Market,” says Kim Bowman on the Way to Grow development team, “the owner asked me who I was, because they know everyone who shops there.” She told him that Way to Grow had moved in down the street and shared their mission to ensure children in the most isolated households are born healthy, stay healthy, and are ready for school.   

Doug Anderson, the co-owner and clerk, pointed to a large donation jar on the checkout counter. He said, “We are about to take up a new collection of donations from our customers for a neighborhood cause. The last one was for a neighbor’s medical bills. This time it will be for Way to Grow.”  

Over the years, the Bryn Mawr Market has helped fund neighbors in need over a dozen times, simply by taking up a collection of change from its patrons. When you visit the market, you can see images of previous charitable checks hanging quietly on the wall behind the checkout counter.

Fast forward to August 2020, when Doug Anderson presented Way to Grow with a generous check for $1,142.27.  “This is from our customers. I am so proud of our community and so happy to be here,” said Doug. “And we believe in what Way to Grow is doing.” 

Way to Grow is incredibly thankful for this beautiful expression of neighborhood support from co-owners Doug Anderson, Paul Anderson, and the Bryn Mawr Market and its customers. Thank you, neighbors!

Two of Way to Grow’s supporters, friends Deb and Mary, asked us what our families needed most. When we responded with educational games, books, children’s socks and underwear, and summer clothing, they truly stepped up. Thank you Deb and Mary for your generosity and for helping to ensure families can learn and grow together this summer.

Way to Grow was pleasantly surprised when Lauren and her team from Slalom reached out to offer feminine products for our families. “We were seeking additional ways to help the Minneapolis/St. Paul area during this time of need, and a fellow female co-worker and myself wanted to organize donations for feminine hygiene products. We know that things like tampons and pads are crucially necessary, but aren’t always top of mind for donations of food and personal items,” explained Lauren.

Thank you to Lauren and everyone at Slalom who put time, energy, and resources into helping our families this summer! We’re so lucky to have an amazing community surrounding us during this turbulent time.