Walmart grant aids NWC toddler blanket ministry

In November the Hunger/Homeless Ministry held a “Fleece and Film” event in which students made tie blankets out of fleece while watching The Pursuit of Happyness, a movie which tells the true story of a family that dealt with homelessness. Students made about 20 blankets, which have been donated to Love INC for distribution to low-income families that often have to choose between heat and food during the winter months.

With the Walmart donation, the Northwestern group will purchase fleece to be used for another 75-100 blankets, which will be made during the spring semester.

The toddler blanket project was established after Lanet Hane, a junior Christian education major from Grantsburg, Wis., and student leader of the Hunger/Homeless Ministry, met with area nonprofit organizations to see how Northwestern students could help them fight poverty. Learning the organizations often run out of blankets, she chose that for one of the ministry’s focuses. “Making blankets is something that’s simple and an easy way for students to make a difference,” says Hane.