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St. Louis nonprofits ask for help ahead of Giving Tuesday amid declining donations

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – As Giving Tuesday approaches, nonprofits across St. Louis are calling on the community for support, but with rising needs and declining donations, organizations like Green STL Machine face an uphill battle.

“There are children growing up without nutritious food,” said Stella Erondu, president of Green STL Machine. “It’s a wonderful experience to see how excited children are about growing their own food, and we want to keep the momentum.”

Founded in 2015, Green STL Machine provides gardening education to local schools, teaching students to grow healthy food.

The nonprofit started in North St. Louis, an area Erondu has identified as a food desert where residents have limited access to fresh produce. The program engages students through indoor growing towers and hands-on activities.

Students like Lamar Austin and his brother Travis participate in gardening, science projects and food preparation at Northside Community School, where the program was first piloted.

“We do science,” Lamar shared. Travis added, “We make food that evolved with the seeds.”

For the first time since its inception, Green STL Machine is seeking donations to expand its reach.

“We need as much help as we can get financially. We are just starting,” Erondu emphasized.

This appeal comes at a difficult time. According to Giving USA, charitable donations fell 2.1% in 2023, following a years-long trend. Economic pressures, including inflation and the pandemic’s aftermath, have strained household budgets and affected donor contributions.

Complicating matters, holiday donation scams are on the rise, dampening donor confidence. The AARP warns of schemes where individuals pose as legitimate charities to solicit funds. To avoid falling victim, donors should:

  • Verify charities through trusted sources like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited donation requests.
  • Beware of overly urgent pleas for donations
  • Avoid sharing personal information over the phone or email.

Despite these challenges, Green STL Machine remains committed to its mission.

“Our message to the community is simple: help us help our children,” Erondu urged.

Donations to Green STL Machine can be made through the organization’s website.

Tips to catch holiday scammers can be found here.

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