Deepening Our Roots in Iowa: Supporting The FreeStore

As Change Happens Foundation continues to grow, so does our commitment to investing in communities where our relationships, responsibilities, and long term vision are strongest. Iowa is one of those places. With half of our directors calling Iowa home, this work is personal as well as strategic. It reflects a desire to listen closely, learn deeply, and support organizations that are embedded in the daily lives of the people they serve.

We are proud to support The FreeStore, an organization that embodies dignity, trust, and community driven impact.

The FreeStore approaches material support in a way that restores agency rather than diminishes it. By providing access to essential goods in a welcoming and respectful environment, they remove financial strain while preserving choice and self determination. Families are met with warmth, not judgment. Needs are addressed with care, not conditions.

What particularly resonates with us is The FreeStore’s role in empowering women. Whether serving mothers, caregivers, or women navigating periods of transition, their model recognizes that strengthening women strengthens families and communities. Access to essentials becomes a foundation upon which stability, confidence, and opportunity can grow.

This partnership also reflects our openness to new angles within our established pillars. As we expand our work in Iowa, we are intentionally seeking organizations that combine practical service with dignity, innovation, and deep community trust. The FreeStore exemplifies that balance.

We are grateful for the leadership, staff, and volunteers who make this work possible every day. Supporting The FreeStore is an early but meaningful step in what we expect will be a growing and sustained investment in Iowa communities, and in organizations that empower women and families to move forward on their own terms.