My Neighbor in Need and My Student in Need assess organizational performance

Supporters of the My Neighbor in Need and My Student in Need help programs met recently to evaluate how the organizations are meeting their goal "to help others in need." The Chinook-based group is a part of a program initiated by Dave Snuggs, of Great Falls, who first devised a way for neighbors to help their neighbors with needs (and, later, students). The program takes requests from those with a need and donors fill those needs-anonymously for everyone involved.

Growth of the help programs

After nearly two years of operation, the My Neighbor group has made some major accomplishments. Carol Johnsrud, who first introduced the idea in Chinook, said, "As an organization we've matured. Locals, and others with an interest in helping others, have made cash gifts and donations of gently used appliances and furniture, and household items. We've been able to help neighbors who needed some vehicle repair work, furniture and appliances. And beds...we've been able to help many neighbors by providing beds to accommodate family members who were sleeping on couches or on the floor." During the past year the help group began serving needs in the Harlem and Fort Belknap area.

All requests are checked to make sure they are legitimate needs. Once verified, volunteers work to find a needed item (furniture and beds, for example) or find a donor to pay for a needed service or item not in storage through prior donations. Much of the furniture used to fill needs come from donors downsizing, moving or getting a new piece of furniture.

Early on, Valley Furniture in Havre, agreed to donate all traded in furniture to My Neighbor. Mischelle and Rick Fisher provided one of their storage units to temporarily store furniture and appliances until they are needed. Now there's donated storage space in Harlem. Johnsrud added, "Having a steady source of furniture, that we can use to fill requests, and a place to store it, has been very helpful as we've expanded to serve the Fort Belknap and Harlem areas."

A year ago the My Student in Need program was introduced into the Chinook Schools. That program matches needs of students, identified by school staff, with potential donors. A fund raiser by the CHS Speech and Drama Club helped start the financial basis for the student program. Summing up nearly two years of work by the My Neighbor and My Student programs, Johnsrud said, "It's a process to get a new group going and takes a while for people to recognize the services we provide. Now we have resources and items in stock so we can often fill a need as soon as it is verified."

How the programs work

These are not emergency aid programs, other agencies and volunteer groups try to meet those needs. The verification process can take a few days and, when verified, the need is filled by donors or from items already gathered by My Neighbor or My Student.

Some people may still not be aware that they can make a request on behalf of someone else. That's perfectly acceptable as sometimes neighbors with a genuine need are reluctant to make a request or may not be familiar with the programs or how they work.

Requests can be made directly to the groups' websites, for My Neighbor in Need: myneighborinneed.org. At the top of the page click "areas served." In the drop down box, click "Chinook area" and then follow the prompts to make a request or post a need. No computer access, call 357-8080 and a volunteer will answer or get back with you promptly-to make or fill a request. To request or donate to My Student in Need: go to mystudentinneed.org. Only school staff may file a request on behalf of a student, but fellow students can alert staff to needs of others.

The My Neighbor in Need program, in the Chinook area, will celebrate two years of operation on May1. Volunteers are planning a special occasion to mark the second anniversary. Watch for the date, time and location for the anniversary event.