St. Joseph nonprofits emphasize importance of giving back

By Ashley Luthans

Since 2012, Sept. 5 has been recognized as International Day of Charity.

The date to celebrate giving back to others was chosen in honor of Mother Teresa’s passing.

Mother Teresa, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian, dedicated her life to helping others. Many local organizations in St. Joseph aim to do the same.

One local charity, the Noyes Home for Children, has been helping children in the St. Joseph community for over 120 years.

The Noyes Home takes in children who need help from birth through age 18, with no payments required.

Chelsea Howlett, the executive director of the Noyes Home, said that people can volunteer at the home, but monetary and supply donations are also extremely helpful.

Second Harvest Community Food Bank is another charity organization in St. Joseph. Second Harvest provides free food to those who need it, holding several events throughout the year to both receive and distribute food.

Kristine Gibson, chief development officer at Second Harvest, said St. Joseph has a lot of need.

“When we’re fortunate to have food on the table, there’s a lot of people out there that don’t,” Gibson said. “And, you know, we’re put on this Earth to help those who are in need. And we have a community that one in seven adults, one in six children and one in 13 seniors are food insecure.”

Donating money or time can help the many nonprofits in town, and Howlett stressed the importance of helping out the community.

“Well growing up, my grammy always said charity begins at home,” Howlett said. “And it’s so important that people are able to help their neighbors and those in their community that are less fortunate than them, because you never know. You might fall on hard times and you hope that that same kindness is extended to you in your time of need.”