Welcome! Small Things Matter is founded on the idea that small acts of kindness can make a big impact on someone’s life. Our motto is “kid-powered kindness for those in need!” We are a club that is open to everyone. All you need is a desire to help others. Small Things Matter is committed to helping others in need through our food, literacy and charity crafting programs.
Volunteer opportunities
STM welcomes everyone to help serve our community by participating in either in-person or at-home activities such as baking cookies, bagging rice and beans, packing and giving out food at our distributions, crafting items for those in need at our community events, etc. You can find a list of our current volunteer opportunities here: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/agency/mgrNeeds/?agency_id=81036
Middle School and High School students can earn SSL hours for all of the opportunities listed there. Young children, families, groups, and individuals are also welcome to join in.
Kokua Foods
Small Things Matter believes that providing supplemental food to food insecure children and their families as well as individuals including the homeless, elderly, and disabled in Maryland is one way that we can help improve lives. We offer fresh produce and grocery, meat, casseroles, non-perishable, and household goods on a monthly basis through amazing partnerships with Wegmans Germantown, Wegmans Woodmore, Imperfect Foods, TPSS Co-op, Silver Spring Cares, Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County Food Council, and volunteers from around Montgomery County. STM members pickup, pack, and distribute the food to over 1000 households in the Takoma Park, Silver Spring, and Rockville communities.
Books for Bedtime Literacy Program
Small Things Matter is also committed to educating children by encouraging them to strengthen their reading skills which we believe lays down a strong foundation for educational success. Through our literacy program “Books for Bedtime” we distribute free books to at risk-children at our Kokua Foods distributions at Rolling Terrace Elementary School and Takoma Park Middle School each month. Children are treated to a snack, read to, and encouraged to read to others. They are also allowed to choose a free book of their choice to take home to keep and read. STM also hosts school-wide distributions of new books at Title I schools including Rolling Terrace Elementary School. Our Books for Bedtime Program is also implemented at Takoma Park Elementary School/Piney Branch Elementary School during their PTA meetings where children are read to and do literacy-based crafts.
Crafting for Charity Program
Small Things Matter also empower kids of all ages to use and share their talents to help others in need whether it be with an encouraging word on a rock, a handmade stuffie, or a card with a hand drawn picture. We lead crafting workshops and charity birthday parties and the resulting handcrafted items are donated those in need. Organizations that we support with our donations include The Children’s Inn at the NIH, Children’s National Medical Center, and Pediatrics at Shady Grove Hospital. We encourage our members to craft along with us from items on our Projects page and donate the completed items to us or other charities. Please see our Projects page for downloadable STM patterns and tags. Our Crafting for Charity Parties allow groups of people to celebrate their special day by crafting for others. We provide support at any level the group is interested in. Donations to cover the costs of the materials and our time are greatly appreciated, ex. for a stuffie crafting birthday party we suggest a donation of $5/child. Completed projects and happy recipients of our collective donation will be posted on our website so that everyone can share in the joy of knowing that you made a difference in someone’s life.
Random Acts of Kindness
Small Things Matter performs and encourages others to perform Random Acts of Kindness (RAK). Some of our RAKs included leaving abandoned art to be found, lucky penny drops and bracelets drops. If you perform a RAK drop inspired by us, please send us a photo and a short blurb so that we can share about your RAK on our site.
Spreading Awareness
Small Things Matter also designs/sells custom pinback buttons to help other organizations and nonprofits spread awareness about the causes they are passionate about. We have designed and made buttons for nonprofits, school’s STEM Night, and rock bands. We are also available to come out and host a “Color Your Own Button” table at your event if you live in the DC Metro area.
Raising Leaders
Our teen members plan and run our events and in doing so develop strong leadership skills. Small Things Matter also provides encouragement and help for children of all ages that want to lead a project of their own. If you have an idea for a new project that you’d like to lead in your area please contact us by email or phone. We would love to work with you and feature your project on our website.
Together we will do great things!
Lana Anderson, President and Founder
Small Things Matter
thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com
202-669-8550