Improving the quality of life for veterans, the homeless and Native American women & children

Meals consist of meat or fish, potato or pasta, salad or vegetable, fruit, dessert, milk, water, and coffee. Snack bags include food items, water, hygiene items, notebook and pens, rain ponchos, socks, McDonald’s gift cards, and seasonally: hats, mittens, scarves, and handwarmers.

Homeless

Research has shown there are three types of homelessness in our area:

• Those who do not take advantage of any community resources and are truly street people.
• Those who take advantage of meals and shelter, but are unwilling or unable to take advantage of additional opportunities to escape homelessness.
• Those who are serious about getting out of homelessness and are willing and able to do the work.

Seasonal Support

Winter (Jan–Mar & Nov–Dec): Meals (175–200 monthly), hats, scarves, mittens, clothing, hygiene items.

Spring & Summer (Apr–Oct): Meals, hygiene kits, snacks and food items, clothing.

Veterans

The Veterans Administration at the Milo C. Huempfner Care Center in Green Bay has a wish list of items needed by veterans. Veterans 1st of Northeast Wisconsin is building “tiny homes” in Green Bay for homeless veterans.

Support

Ongoing (throughout the year): Meals, hygiene items, clothing, and miscellaneous items from the VA Wish List.

Pledge: A pledge of $3,000 has been made to Veterans 1st of NEW to support the “tiny homes” project.

Native American Women and Children

In 2019, a relationship was established between Mary’s Missions and the Wild Horse Butte Community Development Center in Martin, SD, part of the Pine Ridge Reservation and the Sacred Shawl Women’s Shelter there. It is the eighth largest reservation and the poorest. Many homes have no electricity, running water, or sewage systems.

In 2025, Mary’s Missions made a connection with the Eagles Nest Emergency Shelter in Neopit, WI, on the Menomonee Reservation. That population has issues similar to the people on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Seasonal Support

Winter (Dec–Mar): Food, hygiene kits, clothing, toys for children at Sacred Shawl and Eagles Nest shelters.

Spring & Summer (Jun & Sep): Food, hygiene kits, clothing, toys for Sacred Shawl and Eagles Nest shelters.

Mary's Story

Mary started these missions as an individual, in 2016, having semi-retired, giving her more time to do the things she thought were important. In 2021, friends offered to take her and all the clothing, educational materials, etc. that would fit into their van to the Wild Horse Butte Community Development Center in Martin, SD. However, the trip was canceled due to the friend’s health concerns. Mary had assembled 20 boxes and there was no way she could afford, as an individual, to ship them to South Dakota. Hence, Mary’s Missions and later, Mary’s Mission, Inc. was conceived.

Key relationships grew over time: in 2019, we established a relationship with the Wild Horse Butte Community Development Center in Martin, SD (Pine Ridge Reservation) and the Sacred Shawl Women’s Shelter. In 2025, we made a connection with the Eagles Nest Emergency Shelter in Neopit, WI (Menomonee Reservation).