Second Mile Establishes an Endowment to celebrate 35 years of meeting human needs in the Grinnell area

      In celebration of its 35th year anniversary, the Second Mile Board established a permanent endowed fund. Donors can support the fund at Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation and give the gift of operational sustainability to an organization that helps so many people in need.  
       In 1986, the name Second Mile was proposed as part of a community action plan that would serve as a one stop shop for community outreach. Led by the Church Women United and the Grinnell Ministerial Association, Second Mile in its infancy was a clothing closet housed in the lower level of the Veteran's Memorial Building. Second Mile quickly outgrew the space because of the generosity of donors and in 2000 moved to their current location, 515 3rd Ave.
      Over the years there have been many changes for the local nonprofit thrift store but Second Mile’s mission has remained the same - Second Mile seeks to increase and improve relations with community partners to meet its goal of walking a mile further with our neighbors in Poweshiek County. To that end, the Board of Directors continues to seek new opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships so that our contributions can reach those in need. Members of the Board are Aaron Backlin, Delphina Baumann, Troy Dillon, Dwight Laidig, Anthony Nieuwsma, Brian Nolton, Mindy Tokle, Neal Van Ersvelde, Nicole Ver Meer and Susan Willig.
       Second Mile serves Poweshiek County and beyond in several important and impactful ways. The Board has given back more than $163,000 in monetary grants over the past five years to nonprofits operating in Poweshiek County. The first donation was to the Goodfellows Christmas Share Program in 2003 and recent recipients of monetary donations include the Brooklyn Food Bank, Goodfellows, Grinnell, Montezuma and Brooklyn Ministerial Associations, The Invisible Closet, The Kevin Sterk Elementary Needs Fund, The Optimist Club, Station Clubhouse, Tiger Packs and Renewed Hope.
        Second Mile board president Susan Willig notes "The Grinnell Ministerial Association was instrumental in getting Second Mile started so it is a joy to see this come full circle as we are now able to lend and increase our support to them...the Ministerial Associations are going above and beyond to meet the needs of our community.”
     Board member Delphina Baumann added that “the pandemic highlighted the need to establish an endowment so that we can ensure sustainability during periods of downturn…we want to continue to provide for the many organizations that we serve while ensuring we have enough in a permanent fund to meet our own needs.”  
        Donors who give to the Second Mile Endowment may be eligible to receive an Endow Iowa Tax Credit for their donation.  For more information about Endow Iowa or to donate to the Second Mile Endowment visit at www.greaterpcf.org and click the “Donate Today” button at the top of the page.  To learn more about Second Thrift Store visit https://www.facebook.com/people/Second-Mile-Thrift-Shop/100057433480152/.