Spreading Threads Clothing Bank, a nonprofit organization that provides free clothing to children living in foster care in Tucson and Southern Arizona, have formed a new ongoing partnership with Arizona Helping Hands, a statewide nonprofit organization also dedicated to supporting children living in foster care.
In November, Spreading Threads Clothing Bank Executive Director Michele Wright jumped on a call with One for All, a group of foster care nonprofits including Arizona Helping Hands. Wright learned the mission of Arizona Helping Hands is to “support the foster care community by providing essentials to benefit children in foster care.”
During that call, Wright was invited up to the Arizona Helping Hands warehouse in Phoenix to get donations for Spreading Threads. On Nov. 11, 2022, Wright, along with Spreading Threads Clothing Bank Board President Michele Bennett and Vice President Anna Phillips, took a 20-foot U-Haul to the Arizona Helping Hands warehouse. Arizona Helping Hands loaded the truck with new clothing, shoes, toys, books, and other essentials needed by foster children in Tucson and Southern Arizona just in time for the holiday rush.
Realizing both organizations have a heart and mission for supporting children living in foster families, group homes, and kinship placements, a long-term partnership just made sense.
“It’s just a great partnership because we are already connected with the families,” said Wright. “Arizona Helping Hands doesn’t have to worry about how to reach the foster kids. Between Spreading Threads and a few other foster-focused nonprofits, we have the foster kids down here in Tucson covered. Arizona Helping Hands has been around a lot longer than we have, for 25 years, and they have a 15,000-square-foot warehouse. It is just awesome!”
According to the Arizona Department of Child Safety, there are close to 14,000 children in Arizona’s foster care system. While the need for licensed foster families has grown, the number of licensed foster families has dwindled to a mere 3,000 statewide post-pandemic.
Bethany Eggleston, Director of Development for Arizona Helping Hands, said of the new partnership with Spreading Threads, “The people of Arizona continue to step up for children in foster care in phenomenal ways. This exciting partnership will allow us to work together to make a larger impact, specifically in Southern Arizona, and most importantly, serve more children living in foster care. Together, we will ensure that every child on the foster care journey thrives. Always.”
Spreading Threads Clothing Bank, located at 2945 N. Flowing Wells in Tucson, is a nonprofit, Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCO). It provides new and gently used clothing, new undergarments, shoes, school supplies, toys, and hygiene products for children living in foster care, group homes, kinship placements, and adoptive families throughout Southern Arizona.
Arizona Helping Hands is also a nonprofit, QFCO that supports the basic necessities of children living in Arizona’s foster care system. The organization, located at 3110 E. Thunderbird Road, Suite 100 in Phoenix, provides beds, hygiene kits, clothing, diapers, and toys to foster children statewide. Arizona Helping Hands also fulfills birthday dreams and more for foster children throughout Arizona.
Both Spreading Threads Clothing Bank and Arizona Helping Hands are seeking monetary donations for people looking to reduce their state tax liability. As QFCOs, individuals and married couples making a monetary donation to either nonprofit can increase their charitable tax donations for a dollar-for-dollar reduction of their Arizona State Tax liability. Individuals may donate up to $500 each year while married couples filing jointly may donate up to $1,000. All monetary donations must be received by April 15, 2023, to qualify for the 2022 tax year.
To learn more about Spreading Threads Clothing Bank, visit https://www.spreadingthreads.com/