Sweet as Mangoes – The Mango Tree donates $5,000 to local non-profits

When the Mango Tree opened its doors in Oskaloosa in June 2015, the management team dreamed of this day.  Believing in a philosophy of helping both locally and in Haiti, the store donated $5,000 to five local non-profits serving in the Oskaloosa area.

Tim Brand, executive leader of Many Hands for Haiti (MH4H) which is the organization that owns The Mango Tree, addressed the small crowd for the check presentations. He shared that this blessing comes from the strong sales and support of store volunteers over the past three months. In all, over 30,000 cups of frozen yogurt have been sold and more than 1,500 of volunteer hours have been given to open and operate the store. All the profits from the store benefit local and global missions, including Haiti where MH4H feeds children, sends kids to school, rebuilds homes, and teaches people how to grow their own food.

Donation to Love INC. Pictured from left to right: Liz Clarke, Jan Van Beek, Debbie Howe, and Tim Brand

The five non-profits, who each received a $1,000 donation, are Crisis Intervention Services, Ecumenical Cupboard, Habitat for Humanity of Mahaska County, Love INC, and New Hope Community. Representatives from each organization received the check.

Donation to Crisis Intervention Services. Pictured from left to right : Liz Clarke, Janita Abbas, Michella Friesan, and Tim Brand

“We are blessed to be a blessing. I know personally how hard it is to raise the needed funds to run ministries like this, and we are happy to help support their much-needed work in the community of Oskaloosa,” commented Brand.

Donation to Habitat for Humanity Mahaska County. Pictured from left to right: Liz Clarke, Jan Van Beek, Bryce Abbas, and Tim Brand

The Mango Tree is a self-serve, pay-by-the-ounce frozen yogurt store with locations in both Oskaloosa and Pella. The store features 15 unique flavors of frozen yogurt, italian ice, and gelato, with a 40+ toppings bar to customize to one’s desire. The store is primarily run by local volunteers, who can earn points toward a trip to Haiti or towards frozen yogurt. If interested in volunteering at the Oskaloosa location, please email [email protected] to get more information. Store hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 2 PM – 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 2 PM – 10 PM, and Sunday from 3 PM – 9 PM.

Front row, left to right: Janita Abbas (Mango Tree volunteer), Lindsay Overton (Mango Tree volunteer), Jan Van Beek (Mango Tree volunteer), Valinn McRoberts (Chamber of Commerce Director and Mango Tree volunteer), Liz Clarke (Mango Tree Store Manager), Shirley Frey (Ecumenical Cupboard). Second row, left to right: Michella Friesen (Crisis Intervention Services), Andrew Jensen (Mahaska County Development Director), Bryce Abbas (Habitat for Humanity Director and Mango Tree volunteer), Tim Brand (Executive Leader of Many Hands for Haiti), David Krutzfeldt (Mayor of Oskaloosa), Debbie Howe (Love INC Director). Not pictured is Blaine Vos, Director of New Hope Community.