Waunakee Neighborhood Connection

WNC has numerous programs for our families to benefit from.     For ways for donors and volunteers to get involved, see our annual programming calendar and past activities. 

The WNC Store - Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers, we have numerous personal and household items available for free for our neighbors in need to do once-a-month shopping.  At the store you will find such items as clothing, diapers, laundry soap, toiletries, toys, books, bedding, kitchenware, infant supplies, and other miscellaneous items we may have received from donors.   Please see the calendar for days and times for client shopping, volunteering or dropping off your donations. 

Client Needs List – We collect  “needs lists” from our clients for items that are too big to fit in the store, or items not currently available.   Check out our current needs list, and shop for specific needs.  Have large or speciality items to donate such as appliances, furniture, and electronics?  Contact us and we will coordinate pick-up and/or delivery of your larger items directly to clients who need them. 

New Client Welcome Bags - New WNC clients receive a “welcome to the community” bag containing some essential items, including things such as a bag of sample sized toiletries, wash clothes, toothbrush, soap and more.

Client Birthday Bags – During the month of their birthday, all clients or their family members can stop by the store and pick-up a birthday bag of goodies.  Thanks to support of our donors and the hard work of a local girl scout troop, all birthday bags are hand decorated, and contain a cake mix, jar of frosting, and a small gift.  

Easter & Christmas Meals – In partnership with the local SHARE program, we take in donations and provide families with groceries to make all the fixings for a holiday meal.  Thanks to numerous business partnerships we are also able to provide shopping for children to pick-out a gift for the parents at Christmas, and provide buckets of spring cleaning supplies at Easter.  For Chrismas 2010, we provided 215 meals and spring cleaning buckets to families and seniors in need.

Fun in the Sun – During the summer months we collect donations of bug spray, sun screen and other summer fun items for our clients.  When our donations have supported it, we make up baskets of all these items for every family. 

New & Used School Supplies - Every summer on behalf of the Waunakee School District, WNC is asked to coordinate with local businesses and individuals, to collect, assemble and distribute school supplies to families in need.  We take donations for this program all year, so our super shoppers can take advantage of sales.  In 2009, we also started a program at the end of each school year to collect used supplies, for use by our clients and the schools year round.

Build-a-Bed-Our Build-A-Bed program has a cute name, but it’s a serious project.  We want everyone who struggles to know they can count on getting a good nights sleep.  Rest is often the best defense against any number of issues that trouble our families today.  When you wake up tomorrow, think about all those who don’t have a safe restful place to sleep. This program provides new and used beds to those in need via fundraising through events like Scoopie Nights, and direct donations. In 2010 we were able to provide Waunakee neighbors with 60 beds. . 

Adopt-a-Family at Christmas – At Christmas we partner with individuals, school classrooms, churches and businesses to “adopt” one of our client seniors or families to give them some extra help around the holidays.  Families provide a list of needs, and their “secret Santa’s”, do the shopping and wrapping.  WNC then does the deliveries so our donors can be anonymous.   What a special way to reach out to those needing extra care. 

Mother’s Day Gift of Gratitude Program – Started in 2009 by a WNC volunteer, this program collects donated items and creates cards to assemble a bag of “treats” to give to approximately 170 WNC women clients for Mother’s Day.

Information Services - We receive information from many local organizations, and share this information at the store and in our client newsletter.  For a list of local resources available for help, please see our WNC Resource Directory, available in English or Spanish.