OLATHE, Kan. — From temperature checks to masks to social distancing, the workday looks a little different at Heartstrings Community Foundation. The nonprofit organization is finding new ways to try to continue their mission because of COVID-19.
“Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to work and deserve to have a purpose in this world and that’s what Heartstrings is for,” said Claire Crowley, Good Delivery manager. “We give them those skills to go out and be professionals.”
Adam Kuhn, who has been coming to Heartstrings for about eight years, says he enjoys the work.
“I love coming to work every day, going on sales, Goody Delivery, package and stuff,” Kuhn said.
Courtney Black echoed his sentiments.
“I like doing sales and packaging,” Black said. “I like to sell candy.”
Crowley said their main business, Goody Delivery, took a big hit during the pandemic. Employees for the mobile snack service package, assemble and deliver snacks to businesses.
“We were going to 130 businesses on a regular basis whether that was weekly, biweekly, or monthly and now we are down to 10 regular ones,” she said. "It's definitely been a struggle.”
Now, Heartstrings hopes people will back their newest service.
People can sponsor a gift basket that Goody Delivery will then take to first responders the buyers choose. Crowley said they have already started to deliver some boxes, which range in price from $50 to $200.
Crowley said she hopes the effort not only gives back to “those who are working so hard during this time,” but helps Heartstrings employees keep getting their paychecks and doing work they love.
“Being a people-person and selling our candy to the community and making people’s day when you sell them a snack,” said Tim Welton, describing what he loves about his work.
Heartstrings also runs other businesses, such as Sacks on Sante Fe.
