WINN (What I Need Now) Beginnings
March 15, 2020 is a date we all remember - when COVID shut down our community and our country. It was an uncertain time for people sheltering in their homes. Locally, the Salvation Army and Warming Center locked their doors to prevent the spread of COVID. It was cold and snowy. No one could come in or out. Community meals ceased. Resources were scare for our homeless community staying outside. It was a terrifying time for them.
I was the Coordinator of the Franciscan Hospitality House (FHH), a daytime drop in center for our unsheltered and marginalized neighbors where they could find community, get hot coffee and food, do their laundry, take a shower and meet with social service/housing advocates. We served an average of 75 people per day at the FHH. The FHH was closed simultaneously with COVID and our guests were left with nowhere to go.
Brian, a former FHH guest and co-worker and I loaded up the trunk of my car with water, snacks, gloves, hand warmers and other supplies and went out daily to help the people who were literally locked outside. We continued our daily mission and about a year later, we formed a Board of Directors and established WINN, inc, What I Need Now, a 501c3 non-profit.
In May, 2022, we received several generous grants that allowed us to purchase a Dodge Ram Cargo van. A young man achieved his Eagle Scout award by designing and installing custom shelving, flooring and walls. This increased our efficiency and capacity to carry supplies. We are currently delivering bottled water, snacks, socks, underwear, t-shirts, flashlights, batteries, bus tokens, hygiene products, blankets and seasonal items such as hand warmers, gloves, hats as well as a variety of miscellaneous items.
WINN purchases supplies and accepts some donated items. We visit local encampments and serve people in a variety of places in our highly recognizable yellow van. WINN also assists with individual requests such as phone cards, prescription co-pays, specific size jeans and more. We continue to refer people for further services such as shelter, housing, free meals, employment, addiction treatment and other community resources.
Sue Graf, Executive Director
A WINN beneficiary wrote:
“You are doing God’s work with some of the most unique people in our community. We are way more than just people without a stable home. We are sons, daughters, dads, moms, cousins, uncles, aunts and friends that are family that is not blood. We are not less than, we are equal to every other human on earth.” J.S.
WINN is a vital resource in our community caring for and helping unsheltered people survive until they can thrive. WINN relies on private donations and grants. We need our giving partners to help us continue to meet the needs of our homeless community. Would you kindly consider supporting WINN?
Give directly through our website: Whatineednow.org
or Venmo: Tellagraf
mail donations to WINN, PO Box 145, La Crosse, Wi 54602
visit us on Facebook: What I Need Now
2023 Highlights
● 2023 Grants received: La Crosse Community Foundation, First Free Church, Fransciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, English Lutheran Church, Mayo Foundation and monetary donations from 97 individuals.
● 700+ Personal Contacts per month with people
(referral made, meal or supplies given)
● 350+ individuals served in 2023, (ages 11 to 84)
● Celebrating sobriety milestones
● Celebrating people getting into housing
● Sue Graf received the Spirit of St. Francis ~ distinguished alumni award, Viterbo University.
Testimony
WINNing….one person at a time. I spent most of 2019 through 2023 homeless due to my drug addiction problems. I first got to know Sue Graf when she was the Director of the Franciscan Hospitality House. That place unfortunately closed in early 2020, but that didn't stop Sue from doing what God called her to do, which is to minister to the homeless. Sue founded WINN, What I Need Now, not long after the Franciscan Hospitality House closed. WINN didn't always have that big yellow van, so Sue just used her car to do what she does. The van has made WINN so effective that comfortably claim that WINN does the most for the homeless and is the best way to get resources to those most in need. I lived in Houska, Cameron, Lueth, and Powell parks since 2020, and even under the Cameron Avenue bridge. WINN found me in all of those places and helped everyone there. Whatever I needed, WINN usually managed to get for me and to me. WINN routinely fed and clothed me. If I needed gloves in the winter, WINN was there. When I needed a tent for shelter, WINN was there. The time I needed a sleeping bag while under the bridge, WINN was there. When other food pantries and clothing closets were closed, which was almost always, WINN was out there helping me. WINN even helped me with a phone with service on it early last year. WINN helped connect me to a housing program. WINN helps people get to churches and recovery meetings. I have just reached my 9 month sobriety milestone and have housing now. I have gone from client to donor and supporter of WINN because I have experienced the love of Jesus that WINN brings to the homeless and truly believe in WINN mission and its director. Thank you for all you've done for me and what you do for the community, WINN. You're on the front lines, doing the work of the Lord.
Lucas Alexander DeLorenzo
