<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2S7wqi_0plKxv5700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2S7wqi_0plKxv5700" width="1763" height="1175" > At Waunakee Neighborhood Connection volunteers and staff are still unpacking after the recent move, sorting clothing, household goods and supplies for clients. And, some construction remains to be completed at the new 710 South St. location. But, as of Nov. 9, the store has been open to clients, despite the work in progress. While the S. Century Avenue WNC building served the nonprofit for many years, the new home has a number of advantages, mainly the ability to collaborate and work closely with the Waunakee Food Pantry in the South Street building’s lower level, said Kristina Maher, WNC director. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> This year, the food pantry will provide the holiday meal in December, a program WNC previously offered. “It makes sense,” Maher said. “The food pantry does food more efficiently; they have operations and staffing and some funding.” As part of that, the pantry also has the ability to offer more choices of food items, as well, to accommodate different ethnic traditions. The change allows the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection staff and volunteers to concentrate solely on the Holiday Wishes program, coordinating opportunities for community members to provide gifts of clothing, toys, gas cards and more as requested by WNC clients. During a recent visit to WNC, volunteers were in the sorting room. They said having the space on all one level is a relief. Clients like that, too, Maher said, adding she can see their excitement as they walk into the building right into the store. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> The new WNC was designed with a shopping area as the inspiration, to give it a department-store appearance, Maher said. The new location also offers a fitting room to try on clothes, along with an area for others from nonprofits to work in. A break room serves as an informal meeting place with clients, too. This Thanksgiving, Maher and the other staff are particularly grateful to the community for a number of reasons. First, many hands made light work of the giant move, she said, with folks on the Waunakee football team, Endres Manufacturing, Crossroads United Methodist Church and others showing up to help WNC’s two full-time and one part-time staff with the monumental task. Community members also showed their generosity with donations to the Our Next Chapter Campaign, she said, which raised 38% of the $200,000 goal. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> A new campaign, Twice as Nice, is getting underway, and is shared with the Waunakee Food Pantry. It includes $30,000 in matching funds from two anonymous contributions and another from Bright Star Senior Living owners Susan and Jeff Tews. Donations to the Twice As Nice 2023 Campaign can be made out to the Waunakee Food Pantry, and the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection will see a match. Another perk of the new location is its proximity to the high school. Maher hopes for opportunities to connect students who are looking for volunteer hours as they apply to colleges. Maher said she has met with the high school principal and district administrators to explore internship possibilities. For clients, having the food pantry and Waunakee Neighborhood Connection in one location is convenient, and provides a synergy. WNC is changing its Saturday shopping hours to align with the food pantry’s after the first of the year, so both locations will be open the second Saturday per month. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Maher seems happy with WNC’s new home. “It’s a beautiful space. It’s nice and bright and light. The tall ceilings just make it very open,” Maker said. “I’m thankful to the village for helping to secure that as an option and making it an economically good choice for us.” Maher said she plans to host an open house this spring to celebrate with the community. <nbtemplate data-content="eyJhcGlLZXkiOiAiZDgxM2Q5Yzg3NTI3N2IzNWU0YzRmZDM0NTAyMjJkNmQiLCAiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiAiU3Vic2NyaWJlIHRvIFdhdW5ha2VlIFRyaWJ1bmUiLCAiZXZlbnQiOiAibXBfc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uX2J1dHRvbl9jbGlja19ldmVudCIsICJ1cmwiOiAiaHR0cHM6Ly9hcGcwNi5uZXd6d2FyZS5jb20vc3M3MHYyL2FkYW1zL2NvbW1vbi90ZW1wbGF0ZS5qc3A_aW5pdD1zdGFydCZpbml0RWRpdGlvbj1XS1QmcnBhZ2U9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaG5nbmV3cy5jb20vd2F1bmFrZWVfdHJpYnVuZS8iLCAibWVkaWFJZCI6IDE1OTM3MzYsICJ0aXRsZSI6ICJXYXVuYWtlZSBOZWlnaGJvcmhvb2QgQ29ubmVjdGlvbiBwdXRzIGZpbmlzaGluZyB0b3VjaGVzIG9uIG5ldyBsb2NhdGlvbiJ9" data-id="MediaPlatformAmplitudeButton"></nbtemplate></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

At Waunakee Neighborhood Connection volunteers and staff are still unpacking after the recent move, sorting clothing, household goods and supplies for clients.
                And, some construction remains to be completed at the new 710 South St. location.
                But, as of Nov. 9, the store has been open to clients, despite the work in progress.
                While the...