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In As Much Ministries and Love INC, two local charities that help needy families, each received $30,000 from the Liberty Giving Circle at a reception Nov. 16.

It all started out with a simple idea: 100 local women would each give $302.50, and then a check for $30,000 would be given to a Liberty-based charity. The $2.50 goes to the Northland Community Foundation, which handles and invests the group’s money.

The idea has blossomed beyond the founders’ wildest dreams, said Fran Bussey, who along with friends Debbie Feldhaus, Dianne Ferrell and Deb Ohlhausen started the giving circle after Bussey read a story in a magazine about a similar women’s philanthropic group.

Over the last three years the giving circle has awarded four $30,000 grants to four local charities.

“We’ve given $120,000,” Bussey said. “Isn’t that something? It’s just thrilling. People have such generous spirits.”

Bussey said the number of giving members had grown to approximately 170, but they were hoping to reach 200 or a little more, so they could again give two grants.

Despite the gloomy economy, Bussey said women still wanted to give and help others.

“We’ve gotten about 22 new members this year,” she said.

Love INC is a clearinghouse for needy families and individuals, and In As Much Ministries is a food pantry. Both charities are housed in Freedom House, which last year received $30,000 from the group. The first grant went to Hillcrest Transitional Housing, a program that helps homeless families become self-sufficient.

Ferrell said they got 13 applications and members voted on which charities they felt were the most worthy. This was the third time the successful recipients had applied for the grant.

Rick Boswell, president of In As Much Ministries’ board of directors, said they planned to buy a walk-in, commercial freezer with the money.

“The last bid we got was $26,000 and that did not include a concrete pad, so it will take all the grant money and maybe a little more,” Boswell said. “With the freezer we’ll be able to take in frozen meats and food. We like to give out nutritious food.”

Linda Knouse, executive director of Love INC, said they planned to add a jobs program aimed at getting people back to work. With job losses and the sour economy, she said they were seeing more people in need of help.

Knouse said job seekers would be given assistance with writing résumés, learning interviewing skills and given gas vouchers to get to interviews and jobs.

“We very much appreciate getting this grant. It is so needed,” Knouse said. “We’ve applied every year.”

GET IN A CIRCLE

For more information or to join Liberty Giving Circle, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or send tax-deductible donations to Northland Community Foundation, Liberty Giving Circle, 1055 Broadway, suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64105.

Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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