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AS WE CLOSE OUT THE YEAR I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU A RECAP OF HIGHLIGHTS OF HHN ACTIVITIES FOR 2015.  IT IS AMAZING WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WHEN PEOPLE GET TOGETHER WITH A COMMON GOAL!  WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED IN 2015 FROM OUR COMMUNITY, CHURCHES AND VOLUNTEERS.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!

2015 HELPING HANDS ACTIVITIES

• 13 volunteers spent many hours reorganizing our clothing area for ease of shopping and maintaining the area; we also added a changing area for anyone that wants to try on clothes
• The website http://thehelpinghandsnetwork.org was launched in January. I invite you to log on, add your email address and keep up to date with HHN.  When we update our blog you will get an email!
• Student volunteers from SVHS bagged our donated Easter candy and we passed it out to 150 area children
• Richard C. donated a FREE freezer for our kitchen which we hope will help extend the life of our walk in freezer as this limits the times during the day we have to go into it.
• 7 volunteers participated in cleaning up and adding to our landscaping. This has been a work in progress.  We started off by having Sonny F. pull out the big ugly bush, we cut down a pine tree and dug out around our wonderful new sign (donated by Dick D.)  Smith Evergreen donated mulch and a local resident donated plants.  Our “curb appeal” is much improved thanks these generous folks.
• 9 volunteers organized school supplies that were so generously donated by the community. HHN supplied 140 children with supplies as well as provided extra supplies to SV and St James School.
• The Canton Chamber of Commerce participated in the Stark County Hunger Task Force “Day of Change” and painted our ramp. Malia M. sanded and painted our small outside doors- both of these kind donations preserve our building and make it look great!
• HHN’s annual fundraiser- Hike for Hunger raised $6759.00- this is higher than previously published as we had some additional donations. We are so blessed with community support.
• Area Scout troops collected 1200 pounds of food for us. A group of Sandy Valley students sorted it all for us.
• 220 children were adopted for a Christmas present by our community
• A Black Friday collection was organized by Fred Gordon with Mohawk Valley Joint Fire District and Magnolia Fire Department resulting in a donation of $4500.00!
• Sandy Valley High School, Middle School and Elementary School collected 2,581 pounds of food for us during the “Canvention” food drive. This will provide 2,150.83 meals!
• St James collected 222 pounds of food for us during their “Canvention” food drive, providing 185 meals!
• Supplied 55 coats for children through the Rotary Club

HELPING HANDS PROVIDED  118,200 POUNDS OF FOOD TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.  THAT IS ALMOST 100,000 MEALS!  WE PROVIDED THIS FOOD FOR $.09 PER POUND.  WE AVERAGED OVER 530 INDIVIDUALS EACH MONTH.

OUR VOLUNTEERS  DONATED OVER 4000 HOURS OF SERVICE TO HHN IN 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU FROM HELPING HANDS!

Let me introduce you to a man named Fred.  Fred is a determined man.  He sees things through to the end.  He isn’t afraid to ask people to help him.  He is a leader. He is good at motivating people. Fred doesn’t back down from obstacles, he perseveres through them.   God used all of Fred’s gifts to make a difference in Fred’s community.  Lucky for us WE are Fred’s community.

Helping Hands Network would like to express our sincere appreciation for our friend, Fred Gordon.  Fred had an idea to raise funds for Helping Hands.  On Black Friday, Fred,  his son-in-law, Charlie Miller, members of the Mohawk Valley Joint Fire District and the Magnolia Fire Department collected donations from 10AM – 4 PM.  Their efforts raised an astounding $4500.00 for us.  Simply AMAZING!

When I observed what was occurring on Black Friday, the lyrics to Barry Manilow’s song “One Voice” kept going around in my head.  This song was released in 1979- ancient history to a lot of you- but I remember the message of the song vividly- one person CAN make a difference.  Fred and friends made a difference on Black Friday.

What is even MORE AMAZING is that on November 16 the Helping Hand Board voted to set aside $4000 toward the purchase of a new van.  This collection not only covered that but gave us an additional $500.00!  Our van has over 260,000 miles on it.  We depend on it weekly to pick up food at the Food Bank and bread at Giant Eagle.  It will not be lasting too much longer.  We will be seeking grant money to purchase one but HHN must provide some of the funds also. God provided our need and then some.  What a blessing!

THANK YOU FRED for your vision.

THANK YOU MOHAWK VALLEY JOINT FIRE DISTRICT members RANDY MILLER, DICK DIERICK, RICK CARLYLE, MIKE LAMBERT, JEN FRISONE, ROBERT GROSS, TOM ELY, CODY SNOEBURGER and JAMES MARRACCINI for your time and energy on our behalf.

THANK YOU  MAGNOLIA FIRE DEPARTMENT members DONNY NICHOLSON JR., JEANINE ROCK, GREG OSWALD AND CLAY LOOMIS for your time and energy on our behalf.

THANK YOU CHARLIE MILLER for your time and energy on our behalf.

THANK YOU  GLORIA GORDON, CATHY ADKINS AND VICKIE ANTHONY for the delicious meal served to our volunteers!

THANK YOU COMMUNITY MEMBERS for your support of their efforts.  Once again HHN has been blessed by your generosity.   We cannot express our appreciation enough.  You entrust us with your hard earned money to help our neighbors in need.  We believe we are excellent financial stewards.  If you ever have questions about our operation please contact me or stop in.

ONE VOICE by Barry Manilow

Just one voice, singing in the darkness
All it takes is one voice
Singing so they hear what’s on your mind
And when you look around you’ll find

There’s more than one voice
Singing in the darkness
Joining with your one voice
Each and every note another octave
Hands are joined and fears unlocked

If only, one voice, would start it on its own
We need just one voice facing the unknown
And then that one voice would never be alone
It takes that one voice

It takes that one voice
Just one voice, singing in the darkness
All it takes is one voice
Shout it out and let it ring
Just one voice, it takes that one voice
And everyone will sing

As you anticipate sitting down next Thursday to a table full of food and a house full of family and friends take a moment to think about what it might be like if you could not afford that food.  What if you had to choose between eating and paying your rent?

Most of us have a hard time putting ourselves in that position.  We may think we have “sacrificed” by not buying a name brand item or choosing a less expensive option.  But to be truly hungry must be a horrible, humbling experience.

The USDA defines food insecurity in varying degrees- the bottom 2 being “low food security (formerly called food insecurity without hunger) and very low food security (formerly called food insecurity with hunger)

According to the USDA Household Food Security Report of 2014, which looks at a 3 year average for each state, Ohio ranks 6th in Low or Very low food insecurity.  That means only 5 other states have more people hungry than ours. This includes Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas.   Even worse is Ohio’s ranking at 3rd in very low food security.  In addition, food insecurity reports indicate that the rates of food insecurity are higher for households in nonmetropolitan areas (more rural areas) than those households in metropolitan areas.

Helping Hands served 219 families with 740 individuals and 259 children during the month of November.  We have seen an 11 % increase in need in 2015.

The bottom line is that we all have neighbors in need.  We have seen them in our community.   Now that you are aware- what can you do?  Did you know that even the donation of the cost of  a cup of coffee and significantly help?  Helping Hands has been able to decrease our cost per meal from $.32 per meal in 2014 to $.11 per meal in 2015.  A $1.00 donation can buy 9 meals!

Just something to think about as we sit down to feast next week.  For it is…

“not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true meaning of thanksgiving”…W.T. Purkiser

Have a blessed Thanksgiving from all of us at Helping Hands.

Eggs are so versatile- you can eat them alone or use them in many dishes.   They provide protein, all essential amino acids humans need as well as several nutrients we need- like vitamins A, B and D, riboflavin and retinol.

How often do you use eggs?   My answer would be everyday!   Eggs are one item we did not often have here at Helping Hands. When we did have eggs they are were of the most popular “extras” we offered.

Then we got a phone call from Rose Valley Farm and HHN has been blessed with eggs  for our families.  Rose Valley is a local farm in Magnolia which has delivered dozens- and I am talking about  40+ dozens- of eggs for our families EACH week over the last few months.  I cannot begin to explain how appreciated these eggs are by our neighbors in need.

The generosity of Rose Valley Farms is overwhelming when you think of the volume of eggs they share with us each week.  Helping Hands staff and our families are truly grateful for such a gift.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

When you set out to raise funding for your organization you never know how it will go.  At Helping Hands we are ALL aware of the generosity of our community, churches and businesses,  as we experience this DAILY.  With that being said, we were very hopeful for a successful fundraiser.

Once again our hopes were realized and then some.  Helping Hands Hike for Hunger raised $6,529.00 to support our work in assisting the food insecure in the Sandy Valley area.  THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED US ACHIEVE THIS!!!

Thank you to the following businesses who so graciously donated:

Bank of Magnolia,

Sarchione Ford

Williams Toyota Lift

Consumer’s National Bank

Ruegg Brothers Automotive, Roger Ruegg

Three Trees Chalet

Smith Evergreen Nursery

Waynesburg Carriage

Joe Wigfield, DDS

Waynesburg Vision Care

Grand Rental Station

Cibo’s

Taggarts

Hohler Heating and Coling

Oldewood Ltd

Pike Township- Doug Barnes

Ron Ruegg Automotive

Dr. K Shaheen

West End Pizza

Thank you to our local churches and individuals who donated or sponsored hikers.  Thank you to our 12 “hikers” who asked people to sponsor them and supported our cause by hiking.  Thank you to those who donated just because you wanted to.

Helping Hands thrives because of your generosity.  We would not be able to do what we do without your support.  We have been truly blessed.

As always our financial records are open for your review.  We strive to be excellent stewards of the financial support entrusted to us, please contact us with any questions.

Thank you.

Ever wonder exactly “What do they do at Helping Hands?” Wonder NO MORE!!! We are having an OPEN HOUSE this SUNDAY, September 20 from 3-4 PM. Stop by and SEE what we do, meet our staff and board members, LEARN about how we support our neighbors in need. All are welcome to come! See YOU Sunday 🙂

The Helping Hands Network has been having a HIKE FOR HUNGER for more than 16 years as our annual and only fundraiser. Hikers raise money to support the Helping Hands Food Pantry and raise awareness of food insecurity in the Sandy Valley Community.

Each month Helping Hands provides food to approximately 500 income eligible individuals. We are able to meet this need through generous and faithful community support and this fundraiser. We can do more with your financial contribution at the Food Bank than you can do at the grocery store. Make your dollars go farther and donate to the Hike for Hunger!

Helping Hands provides….

FAMILY SIZE                                                                   1-2                 3-4                   5-6                    7+
LBS. of FOOD PROVIDED*                                               36                  72                  108                 130+
RETAIL VALUE                                                           $77.10        $154.20             $231.30           $278.42
HHN COST*                                                                  $3.60            $7.20               $10.80             $13.00
* dependent on availability at Food Bank and donations

We NEED YOUR support! Please join us on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at 2:00 beginning at the Helping Hands Network- 126 S. Main St., Waynesburg for our hike which is approximately 1 mile. Pledge sheets are available by calling 330-866-2005.

Donations may also be sent directly to HHN at PO BOX 595, Waynesburg, OH 44688.

Thank you in advance for helping us with our mission to alleviate hunger in the Sandy Valley Community.

YOUR HANDS ~ HELPING OUR HANDS~ HELP MORE

It is amazing what can be accomplished when people get together with a common cause.

Since I began at Helping Hands, I have been on a mission to improve the appearance of our pantry.  I believe a clean environment is welcoming and necessary when dealing with food and the public.  I want our pantry to be something our community is proud of.  To that end we identified several areas that needed attention in order to achieve that goal.

Over the course of the last few weeks we have had volunteers step forward to meet some of those needs that we identified as part of our ongoing effort of making Helping Hands Network representative of our caring community.

Painting:  We had a door on the front of the building that was covered in peeling paint.  Malia sanded the door, primed and painted it and now it looks BRAND NEW!!!  She also painted the outside of our pantry entry door.  THANK YOU not only for taking your time to do this for us but also for the EXCELLENT job you did!

The Ramp: Our ramp to the upstairs clothing area was quite weathered and worn.  On Friday, July 17th as part of Stark County Hunger Task Force’s first annual DAY OF CHANGE, 6 employees of the Canton Chamber of Commerce came to Helping Hands and stained our ramp.  In a matter of 3 and 1/2 hours our ramp was revitalized and preserved!  It looks FABULOUS!!!  THANK YOU CANTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE for your donation of your time and talents!

We still have a few things left on our list if you would like to be a person that makes a difference please consider donating your time and talents to Helping Hands.  An hour or two can really help us as we continue to help your neighbors in need.

We are beginning to think about school supplies for our children.  Last year we gave out supplies to 171 children.  This year I am making plans for 200.  We have inventoried our leftover supplies and have decided we will request them differently this year.  Rather than just asking for school supplies in general, we are asking you to pledge to  supply needed items from the following list.  If you would let us know what you are pledging by July 15 we will be able to plan for what is not being covered.  School supplies need to be dropped off at Helping Hands no later than August 4, 2015 so we can prepare them for distribution the next week.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

162      Bookbags

120      8 oz. Elmer’s Glue

400      Glue Sticks

50        Boxes quart size zippered bags

50        Boxes gallon sized zippered bags

180      Rolls of paper towels

200      Boxes of kleenex

40        Containers of Wet Ones

60        Plastic school boxes

160      Regular size black EXPO dry erase markers

40        Thin size black EXPO dry erase markers

20        Packs of 8 colored EXPO dry erase markers

20        packs of 8 colors washable markers

20        packs of Crayola or Prang water colors

200      Headphones (SV Library has these for $1.00- call ahead for availability)

60        8-1/2″ x 11″ NONSPIRAL Bound 1 subject notebooks

140      Yellow highlighters

20        Pink highlighters

185      Fiskar type School Scissors

85        large erasers

25        RED plastic folders

15        YELLOW plastic folders

15        BLUE plastic folders

15        GREEN plastic folders

15        PURPLE plastic folders

174      Wide ruled 1 subject spiral notebooks

100      Zippered school pouch

159      Packs Wide ruled loose leaf notebook paper

40        NONSPIRAL composition notebooks

60        1″  3 ring binder

20        5 Tab Big Tab Insertable binder dividers

30        rulers- marked for both standard and metric

100      Packs of UNLINED 3×5 cards

20        Packs of 24 colored pencils

20        Packs of noncoated paper plates

50        Containers of clorox wipes

40        Handheld pencil sharpeners

20        3″ square sticky notes

20        1/2″ X 2″ sticky notes

20        Black erasable pens

20        2″  3 Ring Binder

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 330-866-2005.  Thank you in advance for your generosity and cooperation is helping our community children prepare for learning.

Thank you to our generous volunteers- for changing our landscape!  Our goal is for Helping Hands to be a welcoming, inviting environment in our community.  We thought the outside could use some attention and thanks to our volunteers it has been transformed!

Volunteers who contributed:  Sonny  took out the big ugly bush.  Charlie, Bob, John and David took out the evergreen tree.  John, David and Jeffrey edged the flower bed.  John did all the transplanting.  Charlie, Bob, John, Ken, David and Kyle spread mulch.

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

Thank you for the hostas Ethel!

THANK YOU to Jim Smith and Smith Evergreen for donating our mulch!

Drive by and check out our new look!  Better yet- stop in and see us- we love to show off our community supported center and services.  THANK YOU TO ALL!!!