ATHOL — Opening for the first time in a brick-and-mortar space on a sunny Tuesday morning was as exciting as it was humbling for Bestowing the Basics founder Corilynne Smith.

"I don't have words, really," she said, wearing a pink Bestowing the Basics sweatshirt and a green fanny pack of handy items around her waist.

After years of pop-up events in Athol City Park, operating through the ABC Food Bank at the Athol Community Center, using storage units and inviting complete strangers to her home to ensure their needs are met, Smith teared up as she discussed what finally having everything in one place means for the mission of her nonprofit.

"I'm excited for the people that we're serving," Smith said. "I'm excited for the volunteers, because they are truly a godsend. We can't exist without these people. I'm just taking it all in."

“Almost four years later, this is our very first operational space,” she said. “Today is day one.”

The grassroots movement that started small is a growing resource for rural and underserved communities in the Athol, Bayview and Careywood area, providing items such as shampoo, soap, hats, gloves, vitamins, laundry detergent, paper towels, feminine hygiene, diapers and food for community members in need.

"Our focus is the small communities that don't have these resources," Smith said. "We've helped a lot of people far out in this area."

This organization exists to give a hand up rather than a handout, she said. It's done in faith and love and with kindness and respect for whoever walks in the door. All Bestowing the Basics asks is that guests share their family size and location; no income information required.

"We're just people helping people, that's it," Smith said. "We can find ourselves in this same situation at any given time."

The lease for the building was signed in August, but Smith wanted to be as prepared as possible for visitors to have dignified experiences when opening day arrived, although she said work will continue as the resource center becomes more established.

Verna Rumsey of Athol was one of the first to visit on opening day. She was introduced to the nonprofit when it was operating through the food bank and hosting pop-up resource events in town.

“That’s great that they’re in their own spot,” she said. “We needed something like this. I think it’s awesome.”

Bestowing the Basics usually sees from 30-50 families a week.

Debbie Glidden of Athol volunteered with Bestowing the Basics when it first began, then took a break to volunteer at Cup of Grace in Spirit Lake. She has returned to help out at Bestowing the Basics because it’s closer to her Athol residence.

“It was just a natural thing for me to help here instead,” she said.

She was a full-time mom and grandma and is retired from a clerical position in the aerospace industry. She said she was searching for volunteer work, which is more rewarding than paid employment.

“I believe it is a blessing to me to be helpful to others,” Glidden said. “It’s part of who I am.”

Smith said this work couldn't be done without the community. Bestowing the Basics uses no grant or government money. It is solely supported by its volunteers, friends and partnerships.

"We're just here to be there and do life with one another," Smith said. "We're just here existing to help each other through life."

Bestowing the Basics is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Saturday of the month at 6101 E. Highway 54, Unit B, Athol.

Info: bestowingthebasics.org

    Bestowing the Basics founder Corilynne Smith opens a freezer Tuesday morning as she discusses the nonprofit's partnership with Cōpow's Brighter Life Foundation to help feed community members in need. Bestowing the Basics is now operating out of a brick-and-mortar space in Athol.
  

    Volunteers organize inventory and prepare for visitors Tuesday during Bestowing the Basic's opening day at its new site in a former Athol coffee shop.
  

    Ponnie Halstead organizes hair care products and other items Tuesday as Bestowing the Basics celebrates opening in a brick-and-mortar building. The nonprofit that has served the community through pop-up events, the local food bank and community center is now housed in a former coffee shop at 6101 E. Highway 54, Unit B, Athol.