About Us
What We Do
LINKING HOPE is a registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving our community.
We act as a “Dealer for Hope,” connecting businesses and individuals with surplus supplies to local grassroots agencies that distribute these resources to those in need.
Our Process
- Collection: We gather surplus items—including clothing, household goods, mattresses, hygiene products, and food—from generous businesses and individuals.
- Sorting: In our warehouse, we sort and decommission new items to prepare them for distribution.
- Distribution: We partner with existing non-profit agencies to ensure these items reach the community members who need them most.
Our Mission
To link companies and individuals with surplus supplies, products or volunteer time to local grassroots agencies that are supporting folks in our community.
Our Vision
A community of hope, where we come together to give people in need a hand up.
Our Structure
LINKING HOPE operates as a supply chain connecting essential items, volunteers, and support from businesses and individuals to non-profit agencies that aid our community.
Linking Hope's primary functions include:
Supply Chain Management: Collecting new and slightly used supplies (e.g., clothing, household items) from businesses and individuals, sorting and decommissioning them, and distributing to community agencies with direct links to those in need.
Volunteer Support: Linking volunteers from the community to non-profit agencies.
Strategic Support: Assisting non-profit agencies with fundraising and strategic planning.
How This is Done
With the help of dedicated volunteers, we ensure a streamlined process: picking up, sorting, decommissioning, organizing, and gifting items within a 24-hour turnaround. Timely distribution is crucial to meeting the immediate needs of individuals in our community. Our centralized warehouse facilitates efficient receiving, shipping, and access to resources.
We partner with various agencies and have received grants, including support from The Winnipeg Foundation, to help cover operational costs. Collaborations with groups like Winnipeg’s Downtown Community Safety Patrol (DCSP), N’dinawemak, CommUNITY204, and OPK help us coordinate efforts with volunteers and delivery drivers.
Why is This Important
Linking Hope collaborates directly with existing agencies that may lack the connections, time, volunteers, or storage space to collect items for community members in need.
Our impact is felt among a diverse array of individuals and families, including low-income households, single-parent families, refugees, immigrants, women and families escaping domestic violence, Indigenous community members at risk of homelessness, and those who are currently homeless.
At Linking Hope we provide a welcoming and safe space where individuals can select the items they need without judgment. This is crucial, as those we serve often feel marginalized and unsupported. By offering an inclusive environment, we restore dignity to our clients. Whether it’s a new shirt for a job interview, a dress for graduation, or essential workwear for a new job, we strive to meet their needs.
With the support of unique donors and dedicated volunteers, Linking Hope assists where help is most needed.
Who We Are
Founder & Board Chair
Kristie Pearson is the founder and President of LINKING HOPE. With extensive experience in fundraising and strategic initiatives, she has worked with numerous charitable organizations, including Inclusion Winnipeg, Riverview Hospital Foundation, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Thrive Community Support Circle, Rainbow Resource Centre, the Y Winnipeg Downtown Capital Campaign, and Clan Mothers Healing Village & Knowledge Centre. Kristie recently co-chaired a successful campaign for the United Way of Winnipeg, raising over $22.8 million alongside her husband, Doug.
Executive Director
Spatch brings over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector. He has established youth and cultural programs for organizations such as MaMawi, West Broadway, Lord Selkirk Developments, and Bear Clan. Currently, Spatch serves as the Operations Manager for N’Dinawemak, an Indigenous-led shelter. Additionally, he is a member of the Juno Award-winning bands Eagle and Hawk, as well as the Juno-nominated band Indian City.
Board Member
Rob Crowley is a retired businessman with 40 years of experience in the clothing industry. For the past 20 years, he has been actively involved in providing essential apparel to underserved and vulnerable populations. Collaborating with over 15 national retailers and manufacturers, Rob has successfully repurposed both new and used apparel and footwear, distributing them to more than 30 charitable organizations throughout Winnipeg.
Board Member
Shannon Johnson is a professional manager with extensive expertise in marketing and sales management, operations management, communications, and program design and delivery. She spent 13 years in the financial sector at TD Asset Management and TD Waterhouse, holding senior-level positions. Currently, Shannon has spent 18 years at Manitoba Hydro in various roles, including the establishment of Manitoba Hydro’s Affordable Energy Unit and the licensing processes for Bipole III and the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Lines. She now serves as the Director of Distribution Operations and Management for the City of Winnipeg. Shannon has also contributed her leadership skills as President of the Canadian Club of Winnipeg, a Board member of Fort Whyte Alive, a Board Member of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, an auction committee member for the Rainbow Society, and a Board member at the Winnipeg Winter Club.
Board Member
Liz Prall is a passionate advocate for community service and has served on multiple boards and committees. She is currently involved with the Winnipeg Winter Club, Thrive Community Circle, and LINKING HOPE.
How We Started
This sourcing and distribution model has been informally used for the past 20 years by Lawrence Mullhall (Spatch) and Rob Crowley. Initially, it was run under ‘PROJECT ECHO’ and ‘Sam’s Christmas.’ Clothing and food hampers were gathered, sorted and distributed to over 20 local agencies in concert with partners such as True North, BISON Transport, Sturgeon Creek High School, Sportchek & Mark’s Work Wearhouse.
Since COVID, Kristie Pearson began this small non-profit collecting and distributing items from her garage, using her extensive volunteer network. She developed partnerships with many local businesses and agencies.
Numerous grassroots agencies have reached out to us, telling us they appreciate our support and that they need our help to meet the needs of their communities. We provide them with a free service to help them focus on the work they need to do to support our community.
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