When it comes to supporting local non-profits, there might not be an easier and more impactful program than Kwik Care.

If you're not aware, Kwik Care has helped raise both funds and awareness for local nonprofits. Each month, Kwik Stop, Dairy Queen, and Fazoli's help collect donations for a different organization. Donations can be made easily by requesting your total purchase at any of those businesses (including at the gas pumps at Kwik Stop) be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The additional cents used to round up will be donated to the respective charity of the month.

This month's Kwik Care recipient is Opening Doors in Dubuque, a nonprofit organization that helps women and children who are experiencing homelessness. Ann Lorenz, the Development and Marketing Director of Opening Doors, stopped by the studio to discuss all the good the organization does for the Tri-States.

Kwik Stop on JFK Road, right off of Arterial. Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
Kwik Stop on JFK Road, right off of Arterial. Photo Credit: Steve Pulaski
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Lorenz, alongside Heather Hamm of Kwik Stop/Kwik Care, elaborated on Opening Doors and the facilities they operate:

Opening Doors [....] operates Teresa Shelter, Maria House, and a permanent support of housing programs at Francis Apartments. [We help] Women and children who are experiencing homelessness who need to have a fresh start and learn life-skills and goal-setting to help them become self-sufficient.

Established in 2000, Opening Doors has served thousands of women and children through those three separate entities. Teresa Shelter offers emergency and extended stay programs. Maria House offers transitional housing for up to two years. Meanwhile, Francis Apartments offers an opportunity for income-based affordable housing with support services, designed to break the cycle of homelessness, according to the organization's flyer.

Teresa Shelter, one of three facilities Opening Doors operates. Photo Credit: Opening Doors
Teresa Shelter, one of three facilities Opening Doors operates. Photo Credit: Opening Doors
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Without an extended hand of support and care, it's unbelievably easy for poverty to be passed down generationally. Anyone who has experienced hard-times themselves knows how difficult it is to break that cycle. Lorenz went on to discuss how before Opening Doors, nothing quite like the nonprofit's shelters and support programs existed in the Tri-States.

Prior to 1997, there was no place for a woman, who was homeless, to go [....] We've helped over 4,300 women build a better life for themselves.

All month long, Kwik Stop, Dairy Queen, and Fazoli's will be taking donations that will go directly to Opening Doors via the aforementioned Kwik Care canisters at the counter or if customers request their purchase-total be rounded up to the nearest dollar (the difference going to Opening Doors).

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Photo Credit: Opening Doors
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However, if you feel compelled to go above the call of duty, Lorenz offered up additional avenues to donate:

On the website, you'll find volunteer opportunities and [our] wish-list, which is items that we need to help our women and children.

Opening Doors and its respective shelters provide laundry services for their residents, so they are always in need of liquid laundry detergent, articles of clothing, and various non-perishable items.

Photo Credit: Opening Doors
Maria House, another facility Opening Doors operates. Photo Credit: Opening Doors
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Find it in your hearts to donate to Opening Doors via Kwik Care this month, if you're able. And take a listen to my full interview with Ann Lorenz and Heather Hamm below!

Opening Doors is located at 1111 Bluff Street in Dubuque.

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