Ann Marie Mathis: Championing Basic Needs and Transforming Lives

Founders and Philanthropists

Issue 5

Ann Marie Mathis: Championing Basic Needs and Transforming Lives

Ann Marie Mathis is a remarkable woman whose journey from corporate America to nonprofit leader is incredibly impressive, and that’s before I knew she’s a mom to seven children! With a heart full of compassion and an unwavering determination, she founded Keeping Families Covered to address essential needs that extend beyond food and shelter.

The Beginning: A Personal Challenge

Ann Marie always had a hard time asking for help. She put a lot on her shoulders, balancing family, friends, and corporate America for 20 years. Despite her busy schedule, she never lost sight of the needs she saw around her. She began by donating shoes and clothes to families in need, a small but significant step in her journey.

Identifying the Need

In both her personal and professional life, Ann Marie saw people losing jobs and facing financial difficulties. These struggles highlighted the vast needs in her community. Motivated by these observations, she asked herself, "How can I help people and turn this into an opportunity?"

She researched how to start a nonprofit and, with equal parts determination and grit, founded an organization initially called Twice as Nice Mother & Child in 2010, focusing on donating children’s clothes and baby gear. However, Ann Marie’s keen sense of the community's needs allowed her to pivot effectively. She discovered a critical shortage in diapers and decided to tackle this issue head-on.

The Diaper Crisis

The lack of sufficient diapers is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a barrier to employment and a contributor to health issues and child abuse. Without enough diapers, parents cannot send their children to daycare, preventing them from working and perpetuating a cycle of poverty. The reuse of diapers can lead to severe health problems, requiring costly medical care and causing more missed work.

Ann Marie realized she could make a significant impact by addressing this crisis. Her organization evolved into Keeping Families Covered and has become a critical resource in the community. In 2023 alone, they provided over 2 million diapers and 260,000 period products to families struggling to afford them.

Expanding the Mission

Recognizing the parallels between diaper need and period poverty, Ann Marie expanded her efforts to include period products. Like diapers, there is no safety net for women who need these essential items. The statistics are staggering: 1 in 3 people cannot afford period products, affecting students, workers, and those who miss out on activities. "Can you imagine your child having to miss school, soccer, or play practice because her family cannot afford pads?" Ann Marie asked.

Focusing for Greater Impact

At the end of 2023, Ann Marie made the difficult decision to stop distributing donated clothes, allowing her to focus more on the key components of the organization’s success: diapers, formula, and period products. This strategic shift was aimed at maximizing the organization’s impact. She also plans to expand the mobile pantry concept that launched in 2018, which brings necessities directly to those in need at strategic locations throughout northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin. Her vision includes adding more vehicles, partnering with more schools, collaborating with other organizations whose missions align with Keeping Families Covered, and ensuring that schools offer free period products in bathrooms. Advocacy efforts are also being ramped up to raise awareness about these public health issues with the goal of creating policy change to provide more support to individuals/families as well as organizations that serve them.

Ann Marie’s goals are ambitious but achievable. She wants to ensure no one, especially children, has to worry about these necessities. “Our goal is to provide people with the basics they need to thrive and meet their full potential”, she said. “We strive to eliminate the barriers that exist to accessing basic human needs for the most vulnerable members of the community.”

Advice for Aspiring Founders

"Believe in your cause and do what it takes to make it happen! Moving from the corporate world to starting a nonprofit was a huge risk, but in so many ways, it has paid off beyond my expectations. You need to do your research and make sure your organization stands out while ensuring that you avoid the duplication of service(s). Identify gaps that exist in your own community and beyond. Focus not only on the mission, but on the purpose of your work—and be intentional in all that you do. Offer something no one else does and always provide exceptional service," Ann Marie advises.

Conclusion

Ann Marie Mathis is a testament to the power of dedication and compassion. Her ability to identify critical needs and respond effectively has transformed countless lives. Through Keeping Families Covered, she continues to champion the needs of her community, ensuring that everyone is covered.

To learn more about Keeping Families Covered or help supply diapers and period products to those in need checkout her website: https://www.keepingfamiliescovered.org/

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