Community Support Program Faces Urgent Fundraising Deadline to Secure Building
Sheila Guiter is seen here packing up donations from their current location for storage.
OSKALOOSA, IA—Sheila Guiter, founder of Give It Up Mahaska and The Climb, has issued an urgent plea for community support as the organization faces the possibility of losing its operational space. The group has been given until June 1 to raise $200,000 to purchase the building it currently uses or face relocation.
Give It Up Mahaska began as a Facebook group during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping neighbors give away items they no longer needed. It quickly grew into a major support network, now serving multiple counties with various programs to assist the homeless, shut-ins, and those in crisis. The Climb, one of the initiatives, offers emergency supplies, food, and personal care items, often responding to urgent needs such as house fires and domestic violence situations.
“We started with my mom, my daughter, and myself during COVID, and it has grown to a group of 4,000 members,” Guiter said. “We receive donations from yard sales, cleanouts, and direct community support. This allowed us to expand our operations and provide vital resources to those in need.”
The organization operates from a church building that has become central to its mission. However, the church’s regional board recently listed the building for sale, offering Give It Up Mahaska the first option to buy. The asking price is beyond the organization’s immediate financial reach, leading to the launch of a GoFundMe campaign.
“We have until June 1 to raise $200,000,” Guiter explained. “If we raise less, those funds will go towards storage rental or moving costs. We’re not done. We’re determined to keep helping our community.”
Guiter and her team of 15 volunteers work tirelessly to manage donations and assist those in need. Despite the challenges, they remain committed to their mission.
“My fear is, can we help as many as we can, as often as we can, with as much as we can, for as long as we can?” Guiter asked. “We’ve had to turn people away already, and that’s heartbreaking.”
Community members have already shown incredible support. Local businesses and individuals have donated items, funds, and volunteer time, but more help is needed. Guiter hopes for a significant donor or organization to come forward, potentially providing the necessary funds or offering a new operational space under a nonprofit umbrella.
“We’re looking to partner with someone who has the knowledge to help us create our own nonprofit or operate under theirs,” she said. “We need transparency and proper management, but we lack the time and resources to do it all ourselves.”
The organization’s impact is evident. From providing emergency supplies to offering prom dresses for students, Give It Up Mahaska has become a vital resource in Mahaska County. Their efforts were recognized with a $5,000 grant from the Public Health Department, a grant they did not even apply for.
“It just came to us,” Guiter said, emphasizing the community’s recognition of their work. “That’s how we know it’s God’s work because we’re just the vessel that says, ‘Okay, I guess this is the direction we’re going.’”
As the June 1 deadline approaches, Guiter remains hopeful and steadfast in her commitment to the community.
“We need help,” she said. “We need the community to open their hearts and support us financially. We’re not done. We’re not giving up.”
Community members can donate via the GoFundMe campaign or contact Give It Up Mahaska directly or email giveitupmahaska@gmail.com to offer support.
