BASIC NEEDS INC OF SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY

The organization intends to continue to grow and to increase our value to the community we serve. We intend to do this in all of the following ways:
• By continuing to confirm and enhance our identity.
• By increasing advertising through innovative ways
• By establishing and maintaining communication with the community and partnering agencies.
• By moving donated merchandise more quickly onto the sales floor.
• By continuing competitive pricing.
• By increasing awareness of our offerings on our website and Facebook.
• By recruiting, educating, and training more volunteers and community service personal.
• By soliciting funds from local groups/organizations to support our programs.
• By reducing waste and improving recycling efforts through local recycling companies.
• By seeking new, green approaches to disposing of plastics, metals, and other material.
• By adding other useful services, similar to our distribution of bread, rolls, and pastries.
• By having fundraisers like the “Soup-er Bowl” and the “Fashion Show” to attract funding and promote public awareness.
• By Board members working to increase our visibility.
• By Board members reaching out to the community at public venues.
• By participating in community events.
• By actively recruiting volunteers to assist in the store.

To develop additional services and programs for families who are in crisis. Ongoing

In the fall of 2019, the board of directors decided to abandon their prior strategic direction to explore the next steps in getting a new building. In January of 2020, before developing a new strategic vision, the board performed a SWOT analysis (attached). Of the challenges that were chosen, the board developed a new strategic vision that includes the following:
Increase Visibility-1-3 years:
• Developing a Marketing Plan-submit grant for funding
• Need to differentiate between Basic Needs and Stone Soup Thrift Shop.
• Need to hire a Marketing consultant
o Name branding
o Advertising
o Social Media
o Marketing materials
o Elevator Speech (What are using the funds raised for?)
o Review Voucher program,develop new programs, Social Worker.
o Connect with and update all existing /new referral organizations
o Determine Service area
o Children’s groups
o What donations we accept
o Updating Website
Develop Partnerships 1-5 years:
• Building relationships that are sustaining
o Develop Volunteer Program
o How can you get involved with Basic Needs?
o Donor Program/membership
• Strategic Partnering with other nonprofits
o Have similar values-
 St Croix Family Services
 Hastings Family Services
• Corporate Organizations
o These can help with our committees, fundraising, board of directors, and volunteer programs
o The big corporations:
 Renewal By Anderson
 Werner Electric
 3M
• Churches
o Community Meetings
• Government Officials
o State Reps, Washington County Commissioners, etc
o Mayors
o City Council Members
New Building- In the next 10 years
• Develop Plan
o Capital Committee
o Develop a Capital Campaign
• Government Officials
• Business Partnerships.
With this continued success in serving people and maintaining a strong financial position, our Board has turned its attention to the future and how we can best invest to grow our impact of helping individuals and building communities. There are countless challenges that remain as we work to help provide basic needs to the most vulnerable members of society so that they can continue to live their day to day lives.

Stone Soup has been part of Washington County for over 20 years. Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County formed Stone Soup Thrift Shop in 1996 to serve the local community. Since that time, we have provided household necessities and/or clothing to disadvantaged and/or homeless individuals/families at no cost to them. We accomplished this through generous donations of gently used household items and clothing from our community, grants from foundations and businesses, fundraisers, and from volunteers and a dedicated staff. Stone Soup does not receive any financial support from the county, state, or government agencies.
The current Board President has the drive and passion for the work the organization does. She ensured the organization updated it's Charity Review process and received the seal of approval in 2018. She has also helped turn the organization around financially (see previous financials in Guidestar). She ensures the organization's strategic goal and vision is being accomplished by holding all members of the board and working staff accountable.

Stone Soup Thrift Shop strives in changing the lives of our community members and lending a helping hand to those in need. We have provided meals to over 250 families and have also given free bread out to 425 cars per month in the community.

We are now exploring installing a permanent Free Little Pantry in front of our store. We think this will be a great transition from our meal packs as a way to still provide food to the community. We find that people want to give in ways that are manageable and tangible and this will be a way to help. You can pick up a couple of cans at the grocery store, and put them into a pantry, and feel like you’re doing something. We also think a pantry will break down the barriers between a service provider and client that you see in traditional food shelves. Everyone can walk up to the pantry the same way. Our hope is that some of the shame that people experience from being in need will diminish.

We just implemented a Summer Activity Challenge for the children in the community that is being sponsored by one of our donors. It runs from July 2oth thru August 28th. We are excited to offer something to keep the kids busy and the adults involved for the summer. We offer weekly giveaways/snack packs and chances to win prizes, including a free bike at the end of the challenge.

Covid and the recent protests remind us that we need to be helping build stable and strong community ties as well as giving a voice to those community members living at or under the poverty level. We are constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of our community members and incorporate growth within our organization.