What We Do
We receive gifts of books, clothing, & home essentials & give them to those in need in our community.
Literacy
Book Access
At Grassroot Givers, we are committed to providing access to books for every family. We share books through many literacy programs and have distributed over half a million books since our inception.
We also provide books to...
Little Free Libraries
Each week, we share hundreds of books through our network of 20+ Little Free Libraries. We also partner with many other nonprofits to help fill their libraries, from the City of Albany to the Albany County Rail Trail.
Visit one of our Little Free Libraries by checking www.littlefreelibrary.org.
Book Bikes (sponsored by CDPHP)
A whimsical, eye-catching mobile library which allows us to share diverse books out in the community.
HATAS's Feed & Read Weekend Backpack Program
Our partnership with the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society ensures that 600 students in the Albany City School District receive one age-appropriate book each week during the school year, along with their weekend food backpack. At the end of the year, each child has accumulated their own home library of 30 books to enjoy.
Clothing & Home Essentials Access
Clothing Program
We provide like-new clothing to over 600 people per month, including clothing for children and casual and career attire for adults.
Whether we are helping individuals heading out for a job interview, those in need of seasonal items, or families with growing children, everyone receives beautiful clothing and accessories free of charge.
Fashionable, properly fitted, seasonal clothing promotes healthy childhood development and improves overall self-esteem.
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Home Essentials Program
Through our Home Essentials Program we work closely with the Healthy Alliance team to provide home essentials: pots, pans, dishes, glassware, utensils, linens, blankets, comforters, towels, and small appliances. These basic tools help 380 families a year transition into their new apartments.
Our Partnership With Healthy Alliance
In 2021, Grassroot Givers joined the Healthy Alliance network with a shared goal to improve the overall health of vulnerable individuals in the Capital Region.
This partnership brings together a network of over 500 health care providers and community-based organizations to address social needs – health care, food, housing, clothing, and basic home essentials.
This collective impact model allows families to receive the clothing and home essentials they need in order to help stabilize their lives.
Community Engagement
Month of Simple Giving
For the past 16 years, Grassroot Givers has hosted a Month of Simple Giving during the month of November. At this community service event, people of all ages, local groups and businesses come together to collect and assemble items to fill the specific needs in our community.
The outcomes are amazing! We create and distribute $30,000 worth of basic necessities and raise $30,000 to support our mission.
Pop-Up Shops
Grassroot Givers supports 8,250 people annually through our Clothing Program, Community Pop-Up Shops and in collaboration with our nonprofit partner events.
During Covid we expanded our outreach through our Pop Up Shops in order to help individuals and families in local neighborhoods.
Watch for more information as we're out and about in the community!
Book Sales
Stop by our book sales at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza throughout June and August. All proceeds benefit Grassroot Givers’ Book Project.
Book Collection
We hold used, like-new book collections during the Spring and Fall during Bethlehem Recycling Day at Bethlehem Town Park, Bethlehem Public Library, and Bethlehem Middle School.
Linen Collection
We collect like-new or new linens, blankets, and comforters at the Delmar Farmer’s Market during summer months.