Linking Hope is a Manitoba-based nonprofit organization that works to collect and redistribute surplus items and food in the community. Through community connections, they collect donations. Then the team sorts and prepares the items in their warehouse before collaborating with established local nonprofit agencies to ensure that items reach community members who are most desperately in need. As well as food, Linking Hope also redistributes much-needed household items, clothing, and hygiene products. We spoke with Kristie Pearson, Founder & Board Chair, to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Linking Hope is a local charity that connects surplus goods from businesses and individuals to frontline agencies and communities across Manitoba. We act as a connector — moving clothing, hygiene items, household goods, and other essentials from places of excess to places of real need. At our core, we’re about dignity, relationships, and making it easier for people to help one another.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Linking Hope exists to solve a disconnect: there is an incredible amount of surplus in our city, and at the same time, agencies are stretched trying to meet basic needs. Too often, good items go to waste while people go without. We bridge that gap — reducing waste, easing pressure on agencies, and getting essential items into the hands of people who need them, quickly and respectfully.
When did you start/join it?
Linking Hope began informally in 2020 and has grown steadily since then. We officially became a registered charity in December 2024, which allowed us to expand our reach, partnerships, and impact even further.
What made you want to get involved?
I kept seeing the same thing over and over — agencies doing incredible work but spending far too much time and money chasing basic supplies, while businesses were quietly sitting on surplus they didn’t know how to move responsibly. I wanted to help connect those dots. It felt practical, human, and doable — and I knew that if we built the right relationships, the community would lean in.
What was the situation like when you started?
At the beginning, it was very grassroots. A few volunteers, borrowed vehicles (friends & family), borrowed space (my garage), and a lot of late nights. Agencies were overwhelmed, especially during and after the pandemic, and there wasn’t a clear, reliable way for surplus goods to move efficiently into community. We were filling gaps as best we could, one pickup and one delivery at a time.
How has it changed since?
It’s grown far beyond what I imagined. We now support over 80–100 agencies, move millions of dollars’ worth of goods into community each year, and operate with a lean but coordinated warehouse model. We’ve built strong partnerships with businesses, volunteers, and funders — and we’ve proven that with relatively little cash, a lot of collaboration, and a lot of heart, you can make a real impact.
What more needs to be done?
The need continues to grow. Agencies are seeing more people, more complex challenges, and fewer resources. We need more sustainable funding, more volunteers, more warehouse space, and more businesses willing to rethink surplus as an opportunity to help rather than a problem to dispose of. Most importantly, we need continued collaboration — because no one organization can do this work alone.
How can our readers help?
There are lots of ways to get involved. People can volunteer their time, donate new items or funds, or help spread the word. Businesses can donate surplus goods, host workplace collections, or volunteer as teams. Every dollar, every hour, and every connection helps move more hope into the community.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes — we host regular Volunteer & Agency Days at our warehouse throughout the year, where volunteers help sort and prepare items, and agencies come to collect what they need. Dates change month to month, so the best way to stay updated is through our website or social media.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
That’s a hard one — because I genuinely believe there is no such thing as a single “favourite” charity.
I have the privilege of partnering with more than 100 incredible local organizations, each doing deeply important work, often quietly and under immense pressure. Every one of them matters, and every one of them fills a gap that keeps our community stronger.
If I had to name one organization that represents the backbone of community support in Manitoba, it would be United Way Winnipeg. What makes United Way so powerful is that 100% of donated funds raised in Manitoba stay in Manitoba, flowing directly into the community to support many of the frontline agencies I work alongside every day. It’s a model built on trust, accountability, and collective impact — and it allows donors to support not just one cause, but an entire ecosystem of care.
At the end of the day, I believe in paying it forward, lifting each other up, and recognizing that no one organization can do this work alone. When we invest in community — together — everyone benefits, so ALL of them are AMAZING.
