Since October of 1951, The Altrusa Club has been supporting literacy in Richland County through multiple different services. As of 2021, the club has sixty active members. 

“Altrusa is a service club that focuses on literacy and education.” says Co-President, Sally Gesouras. 

Funds made through Richland Gives will go to support their three major projects, Tools for Schools, Buddy Bags, and In Tune With Harmony House. 

Through Altrusa’s “Tools for Schools” program, teachers submit requests for needed supplies in their classrooms so students can have the tools they need. This past school year, Altrusa provided 106,251 school supplies to teachers in 392 classrooms and community programs, and over the past 18 years they have provided over 1,231,671 school supplies to students in Richland County. 

“Buddy Bags” provides children who are identified as homeless by the S.A.F.E program with hygiene products, toys, snacks, and books. 200 Buddy Bags were provided during the 2020-2021 school year. 

From October 2020 until October 2021, Altrusa worked together with Harmony House to provide a hot meal each month to fifty residents. They have also cleaned their food pantry, storage areas, and donation garage. 

The Altrusa Club of Mansfield also partners with local organizations like United Way and the Optimist Club, and provides a scholarship to a graduating Mansfield Senior High School student each year. 

“Our club provides its members with leadership training, friendship connections and to be of service to the community of Richland County,’ says Gesouras, “We hope to continue to make a positive difference in supporting literacy and education in 2022.” 

To find out more about Altrusa of Mansfield, donate, or get involved, visit https://districtfive.altrusa.org/mansfield/or 419-544-9486.

This mini spotlight is sponsored by Altrusa of Mansfield as part of our local giving guide that highlights nonprofits leading up to Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30. To see more nonprofits, https://richlandsource-network.newspackstaging.com/business/nonprofit_giving_guide/

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Community investment made this reporting happen. Independent, local news in Shelby and Northern Richland County is brought to you in part by the generous support of Phillips Tube Group, R.S. Hanline, ArcelorMittal, Lloyd Rebar, Hess Industries, and Shelby Printing.

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