October 16, 2025

Share The Joy Baskets Save Families from Making Impossible Choices

DES MOINES, IOWA  --  Every day, some low-income Iowans are forced to decide between paying the rent and buying food or supplying their home with household essentials.  EveryStep is working to eliminate that choice for hundreds of Iowans through its Share the Joy basket program.

Share the Joy – through the support of donors and a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant – provides recipients with a laundry basket loaded with supplies including detergent, toothpaste, soap, paper towels, and more.  Most of all, they provide peace of mind to those receiving them that they won’t have to choose between buying food or buying toothpaste.

Lilian is one of EveryStep’s clients who is thankful for the basket she received.  “I felt very happy and grateful for being considered to receive this help,” Lilian says, “Every single item was useful, and helpful - even the basket itself!”

Lilian was referred to EveryStep through the WIC program.  As a client, she isn’t just receiving items, but education in welcoming and raising a healthy child as well.  “I’m learning a little bit of everything,” she says, “I’m learning about the process of my pregnancy, and how my baby is growing and developing. I’m also learning about healthy nutrition.”

Share the Joy has become part of EveryStep’s annual fundraising events as well.  At both the Amazing Fundracer and Sip, Savor, & Support guests and participants gratefully brought along items and baskets to refill the storeroom.  

In the last year, more than 100 baskets have been delivered, serving more than 500 adults and children in their homes.