Two Men and a Truck Helps Local Organizations in Honor of Mother’s Day
Every minute, 20 people in the United States are physically abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Nearly one in four women are victims of physical violence. When women, children and their families are able to escape their unsafe environments, they often leave with nothing. Not even the basic necessities and simple toiletries.
The woman-led moving company Two Men and a Truck recognizes these needs and is rallying community support to help local and national organizations supply women with necessities. Every year the company, which was founded in Lansing, hosts a Movers for Moms donations drive with the aim of making Mother’s Day special for all moms, regardless of their circumstances. Local donations will go to two charities: End Violent Encounters (EVE) and Child and Family Charities.
Last year, the program collected over 266,000 items for donation.This year, organizers hope for over 270,000 donations nationwide in the drive that runs through May 5.
Two Men and a Truck Marketing and Recruiting Coordinator Gianni Massaro said the company’s founder, a single mom, recognized the challenges mothers and families can face.
“It’s been an awesome partnership,” Massaro said of working with local charities. “Every year, we do this campaign and last year we collected over 6,000 items to donate to shelters. This year, we’re going to maybe even double that. We’ve already got 11 of our wardrobe boxes filled, and we’ve got more coming on the way.”

EVE, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to providing supportive services to domestic and sexual violence survivors, stalking victims and victims of elder abuse. Since its inception in 1977, the nonprofit has grown to include wraparound services like advocacy, counseling, legal services and more.
EVE Lansing Director of Community Outreach Leah Dryer said the partnership has been very supportive and helpful to those in need.
“The drive helps provide those basic necessities that they otherwise would go without,” she said. “We’re a grant-funded organization and we can only do so much with that money we’re given. A lot of that goes to provide our services, so the daily necessities that a survivor might need like the paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, etc., we either have to get donated to us or we have to find general funds through fundraisers or through donors to purchase those items. A campaign like this helps take the burden off our staff and relieves the financial burden for survivors as well.”
Child and Family Charities is another local organization that benefits from the drive. Child Welfare Division Director Diane Goodemote said this partnership program truly makes a difference in the lives of local people.
“The basic needs that are collected from the community do directly go toward many of the clients that we serve across all the different programs we are offering currently,” she said. “The Movers for Moms program is collecting the basic needs like diapers and bottles for young children, things that moms need on a day-to-day basis to support and raise their young families.”
Goodemote said many families are struggling to make ends meet, trying to put food on the table and meet their own needs so they can raise the next generation.
“These donations that are collected are so utilized right now and they go right back to the community,” she said. “Being able to have such a variety of resources available that are collected and brought in, just makes such a difference for the individual care and needs for these young people.”
Dryer said those transitioning outside of a shelter is an emotional moment, and witnessing them receive these donations is very fulfilling.
“Being able to give a survivor a box of all the basic needs to clean their house, do their laundry and provide for themselves – it really takes that burden off of them,” she said. “To be able to hand them that box on the way out, you can see that sigh of relief to know that the support system still stays with them even after they leave our shelter.”

Removing that burden allows space and capacity to really overcome trauma and work through other challenges, Dryer said.
“We find it really helpful for survivors, because it’s really hard to focus on your healing if your basic needs haven’t been met,” she said. “In the back of your mind, you’re just wondering when you can get toilet paper or formula for your kid, and things like that. It’s really hard for them to sit down with a counselor and say, ‘OK, my mind is completely clear. I’m 100% ready to focus on this session.’ If we can take that barrier away from them, and provide them with these things, it’s one step closer to helping them on their healing journey.”
The collections drive accepts items like diapers, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene items like soaps and shampoos.
Drop-off locations around town feature a bright purple “Movers for Moms” box, which Two Men and a Truck will pick up and sort and distribute May 8-9. Local business drop off sites include Burcham Hills, State of Fitness, Pure Barre, Holt Lutheran Church, Peoples Church preschool, the Two Men and a Truck headquarters, and more.