Hannah’s Treasure Chest needs items for kids

Each week, staff writer Meredith Moss profiles a non-profit organization in our region in need of specific items. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com

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Since 2001, Hannah’s Treasure Chest has provided care packages of children’s clothing, toys, equipment and books at no cost to local families in need. Today, nearly 50 local nonprofits, school districts and social service agencies partner with the nonprofit organization to request care packages for the children they serve. Once the requested items are packaged, the agencies’ staff members deliver them to the families.

“Partnering with these organizations allows us to make a positive impact for over 7,000 children each year in Butler, Greene, Montgomery and Warren counties,” said executive director Sarah Williams. “Providing these care packages allows families in need to redirect their limited resources towards other basic needs, such as food, housing, transportation and child-care. As you can imagine, this takes a lot of stress off of parents and other caregivers, and helps the children along the road to success.”

The nonprofit organization has already begun to see a rise in the number of requests for fall and winter clothing and school supplies.

“Families living in need are already making difficult choices about paying rent or buying food for their children,” said Williams. “When you add in the cost of sending their children to school, you understand that those items are out of reach for so many families struggling to make ends meet.”

Along with new or gently used children’s clothing and gym shoes, the charity is particularly in need of school supplies, such as backpacks, crayons and markers, binders, paper and notebooks.

Here’s what they need most:

“As families go through their children’s closets for back-to-school, we hope they will donate their outgrown, like-new clothing and gym shoes to help local children in need as they return to school,” said Williams.

The charity’s most up-to-date list of urgently needed items is on their website at http://bit.ly/HTCWishlist.

Items may be dropped off at Hannah’s Treasure Chest’s warehouse, 124 Westpark Road, Centerville, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. After hours, items may be bagged or boxed and left in the large, blue donation bins outside the building. For hygiene and safety reasons, all items must be clean and in good condition.

Other Ways to Help

Did you know that Sept. 28-Oct. 4 is Diaper Awareness Week? Did you know that WIC, SNAP and other government assistance funds cannot be used to purchase diapers, a basic need for infants and toddlers? You can help alleviate this blockade to children’s health by donating a pack of diapers to Hannah’s Treasure Chest. Open packs are also welcome.

Also: Donations of unused holiday and thank you notes, new Hot Wheels cars, nail polish, and other small stocking stuffers are needed for the organization’s Giving Angels holiday program. Individuals and businesses who wish to “adopt” children or host a holiday gift tree may sign up on the organization’s website at www.hannahstreasure.org/wp1/giving-angels.

For more information on Hannah’s Treasure Chest, call (93) -438-5039 or visit www.hannahstreasure.org.