Be A Friend to Families in Crisis. Your donation will help provide basic services to our clients.

Cedar Valley Friends of the Family really appreciates that individuals and groups often ask us to send them a current "Needs List" as a guide for making donations. One of the things we hear from donors is that they are surprised that the client's needs really do not change that much. They think that the agency surely would need something new or unique from the last time they talked with us.

Actually, the needs list stays rather stable with just some very minor changes according to the seasons for a few items. The reason for this is simple: just last year alone, Cedar Valley Friends of the Family assisted 387 persons through the crisis services program. Another 69 adults and children were helped through the transitional housing program.

Of course, we did not work with all of these people at the same time. So, with each new family who was faced with needing to start over again, the need for basic items was just as great as the family that came before them. Each woman is equally grateful when a staff person says to her, "Don't worry. We have some donations that we can give you."

Every time that conversation is exchanged, it is as though some of the desperation of the individual situation becomes a little more bearable. So, as you read the needs list, please keep in mind that the needs are indeed basic and simple; plus they are on-going. Also used items that are in good shape are just as welcomed as new items.

Please contact us if you wish to help.

CVFF Client Needs List

• Non-perishable food items including:
  • Canned fruits, vegetables, soups, and juice
  • Kid's favorites, like spaghetti, ravioli, peanut butter and jelly
  • Pasta mixes, such as macaroni and cheese or hamburger helper
  • Bisquick, muffin or cake mixes
  • Flour, sugar and powdered milk
• Paper products including paper towels, toilet tissue, kleenex and feminine products.
• Baby diapers (all sizes) and baby wipes, baby shampoo and other baby needs.
• Laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent and dish soap, disinfectant/antibacterial cleaning products.
• Eating utensils: knives, forks and spoons. Utensils do not need to match.
• Dishes and simple cookware
• Bed linens:
  • double and twin size fitted and flat sheets
  • standard pillow cases
  • fitted sheets for baby crib
• Alarm clocks and calendars.
• Towels, wash clothes, and hand & bath towels
• Gift certificates for gasoline (Kwik Star) in small amounts between $5 and $10 to simply get families where they need to go.
• Gift certificates from Wal-Mart for $10 to $20 for use in purchasing basic need items not covered through donated items on hand. (Good for hard to fit items such as shoes, underwear and extra sizes).
• Gift certificates for groceries from Hy-Vee or Fareway for $10 to $20 for the purchase of food not available through donations. (Helpful for milk, eggs, fresh meat, bread and baby formula.)
• Phone card in the amount of $5 to $10 for clients who need to make long distance calls.

Each need on the list is important. CVFF monitors usage so that donations last as long as possible.
All donations are tax deductible.