Great River Faith in Action (GRFIA) is a nonprofit organization who helps elderly, disabled and struggling families in Sherburne County and parts of Wright and Mille Lacs Counties.  They had an idea about a ‘Welcome Basket’ to give to families they serve who are starting over with no furniture or household items. The organization was hoping that this kind gesture would help these folks who are starting over know that they are loved, cared about and put a positive spin on the difficult time they are coming out of.

“I had shared this with our friends at Resurrection Lutheran in Monticello, and they jumped on the idea,” said GRFIA Executive Director Maureen Baty.  “Earlier this year they had laundry baskets available as well as a shopping list to fill the basket.  Or, folks could buy items and bring them to the church or simply donate funds for the items.”  

The church then had an assembly day for the wrapping, putting together and bow tying.  

“When they reached out and asked how many we’d be able to store, I started getting excited and began looking into shelving!” said Baty.  

Resurrection Church put together nearly 70 baskets that GRFIA picked up with a large truck.  More than 100 people of all ages helped put the baskets together, buy supplies, colored sheets for each basket, and put them together over the last couple months.   Th baskets include new towels, soaps, toothbrushes, washrags, cleaning supplies, and more.  

“They called them ‘Fresh Start Baskets’, which we loved and are going to use moving forward,” said Baty.  

As of this week, Paula from Resurrection Church brought another 11 more baskets that the church youth and others have put together.  

“This is a huge blessing for our community,” Baty said.  “Last year, Faith in Action met with and delivered furniture to 85 local families that were going through a difficult time. This is a privilege to assist these folks, as we know it could be any one of us due to fleeing abuse, very serious medical ordeal, or other difficult life event.”   

With these baskets donated, GRFIA will be able to bless each family they serve in 2025.  

“Thank you to the wonderful people at Resurrection Lutheran for giving and loving their neighbors in this way,” said Baty.  “Praise God for our amazing generous community!”

 If one would like to learn more about GRFIA’s Furniture for Families Program, visit www.grfia.org.