Care closet honors grandmother, helps families

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Marilyn Hoffman, Carroll St. John Paul II Parish member, supported her granddaughter’s career as a social worker. If the children or families her granddaughter worked with were in need, Hoffman stepped in to help. Although she died in February 2024, she is still helping provide for those in need.
 
Amy Halder, Hoffman’s granddaughter, helps families as the student and family advocate for Storm Lake St. Mary School.
 
“It’s been a dream of mine to do social work within a school and I am very excited that I’m able to do that this year,” Halder said, noting she previously served as a religion instructor at 

Halder

the school before taking on the advocate position. “My role is to advocate for the needs of students and families and help connect families with resources and be that bridge between the school, family and community to bring everyone together and help kids have their needs met.” 

In her five-plus years working at the school, Halder and other staff members recognized some students were in need of basic items. The advocate was considering establishing a Care Closet in the school to meet those needs.
 
“I was unsure of how I would find the funding to make this dream a reality,” she explained. “I applied for a grant and unfortunately did not receive the funds. Then, I remembered the money from my grandma. I used it to purchase tubs and organization systems to keep the closet neat and organized as well as some items to get the year started.”
 
Halder said she had hoped to use her grandmother’s funds to “continue her legacy of giving.” The closet is stocked with school supplies, backpacks, personal hygiene items, belts, school uniform pieces, winter gear, water bottles, breakfast foods and other items.
 
“There are many children and families in need and that need is growing. Many families are struggling to make ends meet,” Halder said. “I’m finding that some of our biggest needs are clothing and food – very basic needs.”
 
News of the closet and available items has been spread by word of mouth through the school. Students can come on their own or a teacher or staff member might refer students to Halder for available items.
 
“As needs come up, they know I’m the go-to person to help fill those gaps. If there’s something a student needs, I will find a way to get that item,” she said.
 
The closet is accessed at least several times each week up to several times each day by students. Since the beginning of the school year, nearly 40 students obtained items from the Care Closet – some more than once.
 
“As kids have needs, I am that central point. They can take whatever they need, no questions asked,” the advocate said.
 
Halder pointed out that the Care Closet is helping make a big difference in the lives of

School and Storm Lake community help keep the Care Closet stocked.

students and their families. 

“These items help kids feel seen and valued and allows their dignity to stay intact,” she said. “The smiles on kids’ faces when they are able to pick out their own pencil or receive a uniform item that allows them to look like their peers is priceless.”
 
Halder said she can’t take all the credit for the Care Closet due to so many partners helping to keep the closet stocked. School staff, families and community members help stock the Care Closet with regularly-needed items or cash to purchase what is needed most. Halder’s family is also involved. Earlier this year, a local gardener donated fresh produce each week which Halder distributed to St. Mary’s families.
 
With the winter weather arriving soon, Halder is seeking donations of new or gently-used winter gear and also works with the local Mrs. Goodfellow program for hats, gloves, coats for students.
 
She is also looking for donations of St. Mary’s School spirit wear, snacks and other food items. Donors can drop off or mail cash or checks or contribute via Venmo @StormLakeStMarys-School and include Care Closet in the memo. The Care Closet also has an Amazon wish list here.
 
Beyond the school
As Halder has connected with families providing some basic needs through the Care Closet, a few have reached out to her for assistance with rent or employment. Halder said she is in contact with families daily and connects them with community resources.
 
 “This role truly allows me to live out my faith and share it with those I encounter in a variety of ways. Each day is different and brings new challenges, which is something I love about my new role,” she said.
 
As Halder’s grandmother always supported her work assisting those in need, the advocate said she would be pleased with how her “seed money” was used to help St. Mary’s students and families.
 
“If my grandma were still alive, I know she would be supporting the closet in some way. I know she would be very proud of the work that is being done within the walls of St. Mary’s School,” Halder said. “Without her gift and the donations of several other family and community members and organizations, the Care Closet would not be possible.”