Small gifts, big kindness
We are a Dayton charity run by neighbors who believe help should be quick, dignified and transparent.
How Kindred Give began
In the winter of 2009, retired teacher Ruth Alder noticed a line of families outside her church waiting for a Thursday soup supper. She brought a second pot, then a third, and a neighbor offered a van.
By 2013 the supper had become a pantry, a winter shelter partnership and a back-to-school drive. We incorporated as Kindred Give so more people could join in with confidence.
Today a staff of nine and 120 volunteers serve families across Montgomery County. Our books are open, our board is local and every program is built from what neighbors tell us they need.
What guides every gift
Dignity first
Every guest is greeted by name and given choices, never lectures.
Radical transparency
We publish our finances, our results and our mistakes each year.
Neighbors, not clients
The people we serve help shape our programs and sit on our advisory circle.
Gratitude in action
We thank donors with specifics: what your gift did and who it reached.
How we got here
A few moments that shaped who we are today.
One pot of soup
Ruth Alder serves the first Thursday supper to 31 neighbors.
Kindred Give is founded
We incorporate as a nonprofit and open a weekly pantry.
Warm Beds opens
A winter shelter partnership grows into year-round emergency beds.
45,000 families
We pass a milestone built by 120 volunteers and thousands of donors.
The people behind the work
FounderRuth Alder
A retired teacher who still ladles soup on Thursdays.
Executive DirectorDaniel Okafor
Fifteen years in food security and a firm believer in showing the receipts.
Director of ProgramsPriya Nair
Leads our meals, shelter and school teams across seven sites.
Volunteer CoordinatorTom Brennan
Matches 120 volunteers to shifts that fit their lives.
Our promises to you
- At least 98 cents of every dollar goes to programs.
- You will always know exactly what your gift did.
- We never sell or trade donor information.
- No one is turned away for what they cannot prove.
- We thank every volunteer as much as every donor.
Every dollar reaches someone in need
Need help or want to see our work up close? Stop by Main Street and we will take it from there.