Grow in Giving inspires families to give back

Volunteering has always been a passion for Jen Bennecke. When the pandemic started, she noticed families were looking for new ways to volunteer. This led her to create Grow in Giving, a platform that helps families come together to learn about community issues and make volunteering and service part of their everyday routine.

Through Grow in Giving, Jen focuses on simple ways to engage the whole family in giving back, especially tangible, hands-on activities that even the smallest kids can understand. She practices her suggestions with her own three boys – ages four to 10.

Jen hopes that Grow in Giving will inspire greater community service and help cultivate empathy and gratitude in children, who will grow to see philanthropy and service as a part of who they are.

Watch the full video below to learn more about Jen and Grow in Giving.

To continue the spirit of giving, for every backpack you stuff for a nonprofit or school of your choice and share on social media, the Community Foundation staff will “match” you – we’ll stuff and donate a backpack to our partners at Parents Prosper. When sharing your photo, please tag the Community Foundation (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Grow in Giving (Facebook, Instagram). Learn more in our Instagram post.

Are you looking for more ways to give back before the school year begins? Check out Jen’s suggestions:

Clothing donations

Clean out your kids’ drawers before back-to-school clothes shopping!

For your gently used clothing, consider donating them to a local charity. Homeless shelters, foster care organizations, the Salvation Army, Dress for Success, American Red Cross and Goodwill are a few great options to give your items a new life while helping others. 

Shoe donations

Not being able to afford proper shoes can be a barrier for children attending school. Want to help? 

Shoes that Fit is an organization that provides new sneakers to kids in need around the country, setting them up to comfortably get to school and participate in PE and recess.

Support teachers 

As we welcome a new school year, let’s pause and celebrate the teachers that help our children grow and develop a love of learning.

In many schools, dedicated teachers do all that they can to keep their classrooms running, sometimes investing their own money into supplies. To help offset these costs, DonorsChoose.org lets public-school teachers launch campaigns to fund specific projects at their schools, from basic classroom supplies to special learning tools and opportunities for students. Visit the site and search for projects and classrooms to support nationwide!

Book donations 

Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit with sites at hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices across the country, and provides books and resources to children and their families. Utilizing the existing medical infrastructure, they encourage supportive, educational conversations with parents on the importance of reading aloud and the impact on children’s brain development.