In May, the Newton Et Cetera Shop granted a combined total of $19,500 through their Local Giving Fund to eight nonprofit organizations in the Newton area. Since 2013, the Fund has granted a total of $135,500 to local nonprofits.

The organizations selected this year were Chisholm Middle School, Community Playschool, Goessel Area Mennonite Churches, Mobility Worldwide, New Jerusalem Missions, Peace Connections, Safehope and Tabor Mennonite Church Food Pantry.

Many of the groups receiving funds emphasized the critical role that grants and donations play in their programs. “Funds are always needed to buy gift cards for perishable food items for our clients. This grant will go a long way in helping with that,” says Kim Funk, coordinator of the Tabor Mennonite Church Food Pantry.

Penny Dugan, Director of New Jerusalem Missions, agreed, saying, “We hope to start some remodeling soon. We are serving about 1100 meals a month—some months higher. This will be such a blessing to our cooks.”

“Newton Et Cetera Shop proceeds are given to help people in need around the world,” says Newton Et Cetera Shop board member Sharon Wedel. “We also see the various needs in our own community and want to share our proceeds close to home, too. We couldn’t carry out our mission without our volunteers, those who donate items at our back door, and those who stop in to shop. Thank you for helping us help others!”

Newton Et Cetera Shop board designates its Local Giving Fund for organizations with legal nonprofit status operating out of Newton, North Newton, Hesston, Goessel, Moundridge, Whitewater, Elbing, Halstead, and Walton. Eligible groups are invited to watch facebook.com/NewtonEtc for announcements about the application process and deadlines for next year’s Local Giving Fund grants early in 2020. Newton Et Cetera Shop, a community thrift store, began in 1976 with a mission to benefit the worldwide relief organization Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC works to meet basic human needs by sending food or material goods, and funding projects in regions recovering from war and disasters. All items sold at Newton Et Cetera Shop are donated goods, and the majority of work is done by around 250 volunteers.