SPOKANE, Wash. – One woman’s mission to help people in Spokane County get food, clothes, and other items they need is inspiring others to join her ‘Spokane Helpers Network’ efforts, assisting hundreds of local families.
“In 2023, we helped over 11 hundred families in Airway Heights, Mead, Spokane, and Spokane Valley,” said Susan McDonald Osborn, the founder and Executive Director of Spokane Helpers Network all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit.
Susan says their mission is to combat hunger in our area. Her group of about 100 volunteers does that by creating and delivering free meal kits, hygiene items, and other necessities to people who are struggling paycheck to paycheck.
“Many of us (volunteers) are retired, moms and grandmas…so we have a heart for children,” said Susan.
That passion for children inspired Susan to launch the school sponsorship program aspect of her charity. One of the Title One schools they work with is Stevens Elementary, where Susan and her fellow Spokane Helpers Network volunteer, Terri Pederson, pulled up this week to deliver student clothes and shoes.
“They have a great need for help,” Terri said. “Since I’m the liaison for this school, I help buy stuff on my own, and it’s rewarding to see the kids…how excited they get when they get something.”
Terri said she spends about 40 to 50 dollars a month shopping for local children who shouldn’t go without. She scrubs and cleans items she finds at thrift stores or purchases new items for local children.
“I’m retired after 32 years as an educator with Spokane Public Schools,” Terri said, “I love children.”
Adrian “Mr. E” Espiondola, the principal at Stevens Elementary, said the support the Spokane Helpers Network provides his students is ‘incredible.’
“All it takes is a quick text message or phone call expressing…what our students need,” Adrian said. “Susan or Terri is here within that day or the next couple of days…ready with those resources.”
Susan said the school sponsorship program is about helping meet children’s more basic needs, like clothing or shoes.
“We do what we can to fill int he gaps that administration staff and teachers see in their schools, so for example, school budgets don’t allow admins and teachers to purchase food,” Susan said.
She added: “When the schools identify children who need shoes, we can often provide a specific type of shoe, a specific size for specific children.”
Susan said as an all-volunteer organization, the Spokane Helpers Network’s primary needs is members.
“We want to grow that membership, so no small group of people or individual is overburdened,” Susan said.
Volunteering opportunities with SHN include creating meal kits or delivering food to the doorsteps of hungry people.
Susan said they spend about $600 weekly on groceries and appreciate financial donations.
To learn more about joining the Spokane Helpers Network, visit www.spokanehelpersnetwork.org and select ‘become a member.’
