Happenings

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 16-22, 2025. Started by Villanova University in 1975, the week highlights that many people worry about providing basic necessities like food, healthcare, utilities, and a roof over their head. No one should have to choose which of their basic needs will be met. But far too many people are forced to choose with 37.2 million American living below the poverty level, and 580,000 American are homeless every night. The Willow Foundation’s Heartwood Center has seen a 24% increase in meal service from the first to the third quarter.

Throughout this week, the Heartwood Center will be asking for the community’s involvement to help end hunger and homelessness by donating your time, money, food, hygiene products, cleaning products, and clothing. If you are unable to donate, you can also spread awareness by sharing information and resources related to ending hunger and homelessness.

As always, we thank you for your community and support!

November and December Winter Basics Fundraiser

Dropping temperatures are hazardous to the unhoused and those facing housing insecurity. Frostbite, hypothermia, and trench foot pose a life-threatening and deadly risk to those who spend extended periods of time outside. While many associate hypothermia with freezing temperatures, hypothermia is possible at temperatures above 40 degrees when a person becomes wet and chilled.

During the winter months of November and December, the Willow Foundation is having a “Winter Basics Drive” to help our members at the Heartwood Center stay safe from winter related threats like hypothermia. During Mondays in November and December, drop off a donation at 100 South Wyoming Street Hazleton from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

New and gently used, clean items can also be dropped off at the lower level Boscov’s customer service desk in Hazleton.

You can also purchase new items from our Christmas giving tree located on the second floor of Boscov’s in Hazleton.

Needed items include:

• Coats/Thermal Wear

• Hats/Earmuffs

• Mittens/Gloves

• Socks/Boots

• Blankets

• Hot Hands

• Tents/Tarps

We will be accepting new and gently used, clean items. All sizes are welcome.

Thank you for helping keep our members at the Heartwood Center as safe as possible during these colder months.

Thank you for your donations!

September and october fundraising successes

The Willow Foundation would like to thank the community for their continued support and contributions throughout the fall months. Our September and October fundraisers saw the community come together to support the Heartwood Center in various ways.

Several schools donated their time as well as items to our monthly community drives.

• Throughout the summer and fall Marian Catholic High School’s Catholic Relief Services Club (CRS) made monthly donations of boxes of nonperishable food items and several cases of water to the Willow Foundation Heartwood’s Center.

• The Marian Catholic Girl’s Volleyball assisted in selling our Friends Helping Friends tickets. Together the team raised $320.00 to offset the cost of daily meal service at the Heartwood Center.

• MMI Preparatory School students donated their time serving meals.

All of these donations have been put to good use, especially those donated to our kitchen and food pantry. From January through June 2025, Willow Foundation's Heartwood Center served more than 6,700 meals, when compared to the same period in 2024, meal service has increased by 9%.

For more information about becoming involved watch out for advertisements in The Standard Speaker, Panorama, The Anthracite Post, and on The SECTV Community Bulletin Board on your local cable channel.

Willow Foundation looks forward to a vibrant winter full of warmth and community support.

Thank you to Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Contributors

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the Hazleton and surrounding communities for their generous support of our Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Fundraiser. As part of the fundraising efforts, the community came together to help us provide meals at the Heartwood Center. The community donated five dollars to receive a Boscov’s coupon. Their five dollars donated roughly one meal to someone at the Heartwood Center.

Supporting us during this fundraiser was the Marian Catholic Fillies Volleyball Team. They sold coupons before home games and at Boscov’s.

As part of this fundraiser, we also sold raffle tickets to win a Fall themed basket, valued at over $50.

Together we raised a total of $540. This will help us provide roughly 108 meals.

This fundraiser was a testament to building community.

Marian Fillies VolleyBall Team “Aces” Willow Fundraiser

Everyone at the Willow Foundation would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Marian Catholic Fillies Volleyball Team for their ongoing support. Under the guidance of their head coach, Maria Currie, the Fillies completed a team service project by partnering with the Willow Foundation to raise funds for our Heartwood Center. The team assisted with our Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends fundraiser.

Before home games, the Fillies sold Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends coupons. Team members asked friends, family members, and visiting teams, if they would like to donate five dollars to receive a Boscov’s coupon. Their five dollars donated roughly one meal to someone at the Heartwood Center.

The volleyball team received one of the largest donations from their rivals on the court but their biggest supporters off the court, the Nativity BVM Green Wave Volleyball Team. The Filles would like to thank Nativity for their contribution.

At Boscov’s in Hazleton, the Fillies also sold coupons and raffle tickets for a Fall basket. In total, the team raised $320. This will help the Heartwood Center provide roughly 64 meals.

The Fillies “aced” this serviced project and we look forward to teaming up with the Filles next season.

In The News: Willow Foundation Vice-President, Kristen Topolski and Sarah Helcoski, President Honored with Service Award

The Citizens’ Voice covered the event.

Read the Article Here:

September and October Daily Essentials Fundraiser

Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or others who are at risk of homelessness in the Greater Hazleton Area are often left without basic necessities and personal items. Willow Foundation at the Heartwood Center is asking for the community’s help to give our members a little piece of home by participating in our daily essentials fundraiser. We greatly appreciate new items such as:

• T-shirts and sweatshirts,

• Underwear and socks,

• First Aid Kits and first aid products like antibiotic cream, band aids, and gauze,

• Hygiene and personal care products like toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and ChapSticks,

• Backpacks and tote bags,

• Flashlights and batteries.

*For hygiene purposes, only unworn and unopened items may be accepted. All sizes are welcomed.

During Mondays in September and October, drop off a donation at 100 South Wyoming Street Hazleton from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. These items cannot only physically help someone experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness but can also help them emotionally by donating items they can call their own.

Thank you for your donations!

Runing Lifestyle Brand Donates Visors

Continuing our Summer Essentials Fundraiser, Small Town Miles’ CEO and Founder Noah Stauffer donated visors to the members who visit the Heartwood Center. A passionate runner, Noah started Small Town Miles to build and fashion community among runners in rural and small-town communities. The company’s slogan “Run your roots,” echoes Willow’s belief in building community and societal cooperation by strengthening our foundations.  

These visors will help keep our members cool and safe from sun. Thank you Small Town Miles!

We look forward to partnering with other local businesses in the future!

Marian CRS Club Kicks Off Willow’s Summer Food Drive

Willow Foundation is continuing our community partnership with Marian Catholic High School. Led by Mr. Patrick Smith, Marian’s Theology Chair and Director of Campus Ministry, Marian’s Catholic Relief Services Club (CRS) donated several boxes of nonperishable food items and several cases of bottled water.

Mr. Smith as well as student CRS representatives personally delivered these items to the Heartwood Center. These donations helped kick start Willow’s Summer Nonperishable Food Drive Fundraiser.

Marian’s donation of bottled water is especially needed and appreciated. As the temperatures continue to rise, bottled water is paramount for those who visit our drop-in shelter. On an average summer day, Willow distributes several cases of cold, refreshing bottled water.   

These donations were part of Marian’s ongoing Marian Cares Project Food Bank Food Drive. Throughout the summer, Marian will be collecting nonperishable items which the CRS club will then distribute to local nonprofits in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties.

Willow Foundation extends our gratitude to Marian for selecting Willow as the Luzerne County recipient of their donated food items and appreciates their continued support.

A Summer of Community: NonPerishable Fundraiser

Summer is the season of picnics, 4th of July celebrations, and family reunions. While you are celebrating and preparing for your get togethers, think of including Willow in your celebration.

At Willow Foundation’s Heartwood Center, meal service demand more than doubled from January 1st to March 8th compared to the same period in 2024, growing from 1,018 meals served to 2,419. In addition to meal services, community need for food pantry access has increased 22% from January to April.

To help meet this increase and bring the community together, Heartwood Center is hosting its first annual Summer Food Drive. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted every Monday throughout July and August from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 100 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton.

Most requested items include:

• Bottled Water and Canned/Bottled Drinks,

• Breakfast Items (Cereal, Oatmeal),

• Canned Goods,

• Protein, Energy, and Granola Bars,

• Pantry Staples (Pasta, Instant Potatoes, Rice, Nut Butters).

A full list of additional needs can be found on the Center’s Amazon Wishlist and at willow-foundation.org/volunteer.

Next time you are getting ready for your summer cookout, add a few extra items to your cart to donate to Willow. Each contribution isn’t just a pantry staple or canned good, it helps provide food security to your friends and neighbors.

In the News: Willow’s Summer Essentials Fundraiser Featured on WNEP

WNEP covered our Summer Essentials Fundraiser

Watch the news coverage here:

Marian colts and fillies Fundraiser

Marian Catholic High School in Tamaqua held several fundraisers throughout the Spring which benefited Willow Foundation at the Heartwood Center. Mr. Patrick Smith, Marian’s Theology Chair and Director of Campus Ministry facilitated the fundraisers led by the Evangelization Team and CRS Club. Willow Foundation is grateful to Marian Colts and Fillies for their generous donations.

Students from these clubs came together to organize a Blue and Gold Dress Down Day Fundraiser, which raised $350.00. This generous donation will directly provide the members of Willow Foundation Heartwood Center with fresh food used to cook daily meals.

The students also organized a Warm Beverage Drive. Students collected, sorted, and donated coffee, non-dairy creamer, sugar, disposable cups, and hot chocolate, among other items. In May, Willow Foundation’s Heartwood Center served an estimated 1400 cups of coffee. Warm beverages are one of the most popular food items at the drop-in center.

Marian and Willow look forward to bringing more service and volunteer opportunities to Marian Catholic students and creating community at Willow Foundation.

Willow Foundation staff, members, and community of volunteers extend deepest gratitude to Marian’s Evangelization Team and CRS Club.

Summer essentials Drive for willow foundation

Help Willow Foundation prepare for the summer with our Summer Essentials Fundraiser!

Willow experienced a 60% increase in new clients from January to March of this year, with new clients continuing to increase throughout the spring and into the summer months. The summer months mean more of our clients will experience the harsh conditions of nature like heat, humidity, and insects. Make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness by donating unopened:

• Sunscreen

• Aloe Vera Gel

• Bug Spray

• Bottled Water

• Canned and Bottled Beverages

• Sunglasses

• Baseball Hats

During Mondays in June, drop off a donation at 100 South Wyoming Street Hazleton from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. One donated item of sunscreen or bug spray can help prevent lifelong, serious illnesses and skin conditions. Further, cold beverages and bottled water are always an appreciated relief from the summer heat.

Thank you for your donations! 

Drums tigers Sponsor Spring cleaning

Willow Foundation would like to thank Drums Elementary and Middle School for their generous fundraisers that supported Willow Foundation at the Heartwood Center. Drums hosted two spring fundraisers. The first was a monetary donation from the teaching staff through the Drums Cares Organization.

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and the Community Service Club hosted a Cleaning Supplies Fundraiser.  The Drums NJHS is advised by co-advisors Melissa Stauffer and Tricia Spade. The Community Service Club is advised by Michael Bugda. Together the clubs organized the fundraiser including making promotional flyers, making donation boxes, collecting cleaning products, and sorting donations. The club encouraged the whole school to participate in donating.  

Willow Foundation is grateful to the Drums Elementary and Middle School faculty, students, and staff not only for their generous donations, but also for building community through philanthropy and community outreach.

Spring Cleaning with Purpose: Supporting Heartwood Center

As spring arrives, many households turn their attention to fresh starts and clean spaces. At Willow Foundation's Heartwood Center, that same spirit of renewal takes on a deeper meaning. A clean and welcoming environment isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifeline.

Heartwood Center is Hazleton’s only drop-in center and day shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or food insecurity. Meal service demand more than doubled from January 1st to March 8th compared to the same period in 2024, growing from 1,018 meals served to 2,419. Heartwood Center  provided guests with hundreds of instances of material support—from laundry and hygiene access to ID assistance. This level of daily traffic makes cleaning products not just helpful, but essential to maintaining a safe, dignified environment.

To help meet this need, Heartwood Center is hosting its first annual Spring Cleaning Drive. Donations of cleaning products will be accepted every Monday throughout March, April, and May, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 100 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton.

Most-requested items include Fabuloso, Lysol, Clorox, and Purell. A full list of additional needs can be found on the Center’s Amazon Wishlist and at willow-foundation.org/volunteer.

Each contribution supports the daily work of creating a space where dignity, cleanliness, and compassion go hand in hand. A donated bottle of disinfectant doesn’t just clean a surface—it helps protect the health and wellbeing of dozens of individuals who rely on Heartwood Center.

WILLOW Foundation Featured on The Food Dignity Podcast

Kristen Topolski, co-founder and CEO of New Roots, Inc. and the Willow Foundation, shared her journey of providing peer-based recovery support to individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.

Listen to the podcast

In the news: Locals and leaders luncheon to help homeless

WNEP covered our first-of-its-kind event on Oct. 18, 2023 when we invited locals and leaders in Hazelton to a luncheon at our Heartwood Center.

Read the article

In the news: Life changing: Heartwood Center in Hazleton offers opportunity for homelesS

The Standard Speaker covered the opening of our new Heartwood Center location in the former Boyle Funeral Home on South Wyoming Street in an article published June 27, 2022.

Read the article