By Lucas Jagodzinski
PORTAGE COUNTY – Especially during the holidays, many of us make an extra effort to remember those in our community who may need an extra bit of help or support to get by. For one local community organization, that mission to support those less fortunate is a year long commitment. That organization is Evergreen Community Initiatives. The group has been in operation for over 10 years in the local community. Central to the group’s community focus and overall focus is its mission statement: to be the light in the midst of darkness.

Over the past 10 years or so, the group has continued to run events that make the world a little bit brighter for those in need. The group currently hosts the Kids Closet; a pantry that provides free clothing to kids in need. Families have the ability to come to the Evergreen Community Imitative facility and pick up one free bag of clothing per child per month. Stock in the clothing pantry is constantly rotating and is different each week so families are encouraged to come back if they cannot find what they need. Another program currently hosted by the group is a warming center called the Hope Center. The center is a place where people who are without a safe place to sleep can come and stay warm and stay out of dangerous situations and or legal trouble. Staff and volunteers run these operations and more volunteers are always needed. So, if you are interested, please contact the group directly. Evergreen also runs a program called Tree Huggers; which is a program in which scarves, hats, mittens, etc. are placed on a tree next to the library downtown for those who need them to come and grab them as they need them. One program that has run in the past but cannot currently take place because of the COVID 19 pandemic, is the Place of Peace meal. The weekly meal would be held at the Mission Church downtown and be provided free to any of those in the public who needed it.

All of the above programs cannot be put on without help from the community. Evergreen Community Initiatives would not be able to do what it does to help those less fortunate in the community without the support of its community. The Stevens Point Fire Department recently donated jackets to the group so that they can be given to those who need them this winter. If you are looking for ways to support the groups initiatives above you are encouraged to volunteer or donate to them directly. The group can be contacted via their website at wisconsineci.org/ or on Facebook at their community group Helping Hands (Stevens Point) or their main page at Evergreen Community Initiatives and The Place of Peace. Evergreen Community Initiatives stands as a perfect reflection of its mission: it’s been illuminating the community for years.