Happenings

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