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As you know, Lent begins next Wednesday, which means Helping Hands will begin to collect Easter candy to pass along to the children we serve. Candy is due at HHN no later than March 13. Candy collected is sorted and packed into bags and then passed out to families with children - 1 bag per child.
Please ONLY collect individually wrapped candy. Candy may be dropped off at HHN any Tuesday or Wednesday between 8:30- 2:30. As always, our families appreciate your generosity and knd hearts. It is our pleasure to pass along your care for our neighbors in need! If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know...330-866-2005! Thanks again, Becky
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING HELPING HANDS IN 2023
Helping Hands celebrated 40 years of service to our community this year- all because our community continues to care for their neighbors who have need. I want you to know we take very seriously how we spend donations entrusted to us. We strive to be excellent stewards of all donations made. Our goal is always to make your money stretch as far as we can. If you ever have questions about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact me at 330-866-2005.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
HHN began the year serving 233 families in January/ended the year serving 285 families in December.
HHN served an average of 800 individuals each month, our highest month was November with 1027
Welcomed 86 new families to our services during 2023
We passed along 202,907 pounds of food this is approximately 169,089 meals!
We also passed along 21,877 pounds of fresh produce
We have continued to partner with the Carroll County Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH). They receive extra venison and other meat, pay for the processing and then distribute it to various food pantries. In 2023 we received 1953 pounds of venison, pork and liver. Our families have loved it!
A carport was installed to protect our truck and provide extra security.
The restrooms at the center were renovated to remove mold and dampness. This much needed repair was funded in part through grants from the Community Betterment Foundation and the Carroll County Foundation.
Helping Hands earned $114.61 from collecting ACME grocery receipts from their cashback program.
We launched our website thehelpinghandsnetwork.org Please feel free to check it out!
In March, over 100 bags of Easter candy (donated by the community) were packed by students from SVHS and passed out to our families.
In
In July the kind folks from Marathon Pipeline in East Sparta spent a day helping us clean, repair our entry ramp and install a Blink security camera system.
In August, 5917 school supply items were provided to families at the back to school bash at Sandy Valley Local. In addition to school supplies we also passed out over 900 pair of socks at the Back to School Bash- all donated from the community and Bombas socks donated from the company. 200 items were provided to St. James Elementary school.
We also partnered with Republic Services/Countywide Landfill for our annual golf outing on August 25. We have partnered with them for several years. This is the only organized fundraiser HHN has during the year. $7059.78 was raised this year. All other support comes from our wonderful community who keeps us afloat month after month!
ACRFB conducted their annual inspection of HHN on September 5. HHN WAS FOUND TO BE 100% COMPLIANT WITH ALL REGULATIONS!! Some of the things they check are our storage of food items, both frozen and shelf stable. They check our records of client visits, cleanliness and volunteer requirements plus much more!
In September we partnered with Bridge Point and the Canton South Rotary to provide 106 winter coats for children who signed up to receive them. These coats are provided by the Rotary, HHN is just the intermediary in identifying who needs coats and organizing the ordering and delivery.
October was our celebration of serving our community for 40 years. An Open House was held for the community and the history of HHN was shared.
In November Minerva Enterprises provided 232 turkeys and pies for our families! We so appreciate their support in caring for our families and children.
November is also Hunger Awareness Month. Each November the Stark County Hunger Task Force celebrates the efforts of their pantry with a dinner and awards program. Helping Hands was honored at the dinner this year as THE PANTRY OF THE YEAR!!! All of us were thrilled with this recognition and humbled to be recognized.
This year 232 hams were purchased through the food bank for our family’s Christmas.
146 children received a Christmas gift, and 73 families received a $50 Walmart gift card. Marathon Pipeline in East Sparta provided over $1,000 worth of extra toys and gifts for our families to choose from for their children.
Our volunteers were celebrated at our annual volunteer recognition dinner held December 7 at Pike Grange. Throughout the year volunteers arrive each Tuesday and Wednesday to stock shelves, pack groceries and assist families. We have volunteers who drive to pick up our orders from the Foodbank on Tuesdays and bread from Giant Eagle on Wednesdays. Others unload our truck when it arrives from the foodbank. We have volunteers who sort through and hang all clothing donated to HHN. Volunteers also perform general maintenance, mow our grass, etc.
Helping Hands is most appreciative of all community support we receive. Your caring hearts make it possible for us to continue to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need. We could not do what we do without our community support!
Thank you for caring for others!
What a community we live in! Thank you to everyone who donated gifts, money and toys to our families this Christmas season. We are truly blessed to live in such a great community. 147 children were adopted this year by community members and organizations. We also had enough support to provide their 73 families with a $50 Walmart giftcard. Marathon Pipeline (pictured) in East Sparta provided each child with an additional toy or clothing item. Tears of gratefulness were shed and words of appreciation were spoken as we passed along the Christmas spirit. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE! MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
Helping Hands is SO PROUD to announce we have been honored as the Stark County Hunger Task Force PANTRY OF THE YEAR! This award recognizes the commitment of our volunteers to provide a welcoming experience to all who enter our doors. That experience includes volunteers who work at the pantry, drive our truck, unload our food, stock our shelves, pack groceries as well as our clothing volunteers, those that mow our yard, weed our flowerbeds and those who help us out on special occasions. We appreciate all who donate their time and talents to care for others in our community! This award recognizes that dedication and we proudly share it with all! We couldn’t do it without YOU!
11-14-23
THANK YOU BOY SCOUT TROOP 38 AND CUB SCOUT PACK 38!
On Saturday, November 11 the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Troop 38 and Pack 38 spent their morning SCOUTING FOR FOOD in the East Sparta Area. Their efforts provided 1473 pounds of food for their community! This will give our families over 1227 meals 😊
All of us at HHN appreciate their commitment to providing for others by using their energy to collect food!
Thank you also to their leaders and parents who helped these young men. The lessons learned of caring for others is one they will carry with them for years. Thank you for supporting them!
11-08-23
THANK YOU SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH!
Helping Hands has received 3 quilts made by the lovely folks at Shepherd of the Valley! We have set up a raffle for our families to enter for the quilt they would like to receive. We appreciate them sharing their handiwork with our families. Our families are eagerly waiting to hear if they won one of the quilts! Blessing to you Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church!
11-08-23
THANK YOU MINERVA ENTERPRISES! We are so grateful to our friends at Minerva Enterprises who donated TURKEYS AND PIES for our family's holiday meals. There care and concern for our community is outstanding! Thank you again from all of us at Helping Hands.
09-13-23
COME CELEBRATE WITH US!
THE HELPING HANDS NETWORK INVITES YOU TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2023
2-4 PM
HELPING HANDS NETWORK
126 S. MAIN ST.
WAYNESBURG, OH
COME AND SHARE IN THE CELEBRATION, TOUR THE CENTER, SEE OUR IMPROVEMENTS, LEARN HOW YOUR SUPPORT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED
SHORT PROGRAM BEGINS AT 2:30
09-03-23
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT
AS ALWAYS OUR COMMUNITY CARES AND SHARES FOR OTHERS! OUR SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE WAS ONCE AGAIN A SUCCESS! DONATIONS OF SUPPLIES AND MONETARY SUPPORT PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING FOR THE STUDENTS AT SANDY VALLEY LOCAL:
Items taken to Sandy Valley schools 2023
RED PENS 275
BLACK/BLUE PENS 600
COLORED PENCILS 125
COLLEGE LOOSE LEAF 100
COLLEGE SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS 175
CRAYONS 200
ELMERS GLUE 125
GLUE STICKS 380
WIDE RULED NOTEBOOKS 175
WIDE LOOSE LEAF 125
WIDE COMPOSITION BOOKS 60
SCHOOL BOXES 50
TICONDEROGA PENCILS 600
PLASTIC FOLDERS W/ PRONGS 100
PLASTIC FOLDERS W/O PRONGS 70
PENCIL BOXES 53
COLLEGE COMPOSITION BOOK 5
PAPER FOLDERS 140
CAP ERASERS 1500
WASHABLE MARKERS 75
WATERCOLORS 20
HIGHLIGHTERS 300
SCISSORS 100
LARGE ERASERS 339
ZIPPER POUCH 100
INDEX CARDS UNLINED 50
INDEX CARD LINED 75
TOTALS 5917
YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH YOUR GENEROSITY- THANK YOU SO MUCH!
IT’S ACME FRESH MARKET COMMUNITY CASHBACK TIME!
Do you shop at Acme Fresh Market? If so, save your receipts between now and February 15, 2024, then turn them into Helping Hands to help us get 5% back on all receipts collected.
Each year Acme supports local organizations through their cashback program. Helping Hands has participated for several years by collecting your receipts and submitting them for the 5% rebate.
You may send your receipts to Helping Hands Network, PO Box 595, Waynesburg, OH 44688 or drop them off any Tuesday or Wednesday between 9 and 2:30. Should you have any questions, please call HHN at 330-866-2005.
Thank you for supporting Helping Hands!
Your Hands- Helping Our Hands-Help Others
THANK YOU, EAST SPARTA MARATHON PETROLEUM!
On Monday, July 10, these fine men brought their muscles, skills, and kind hearts to Helping Hands Network to complete some tasks to help maintain our pantry. In just a few hours they hung 5 security cameras, moved all our stock and cleaned under the pallets and washed down walls, and replaced broken boards on our outside and inside ramps.
Marathon Petroleum has been a supporting partner of Helping Hands for years. Each year they set aside a day to help us complete projects that might not get done otherwise. They go above and beyond to get our tasks done, always doing everything just as we would do ourselves.
We cannot express our appreciation for them enough! They are just the best people around and our community is lucky to have them! Thanks again Marathon Petroleum!
VOTE FOR HELPING HANDS!
Helping Hands has registered to compete for a $10,000 endowment seed prize from the Stark Community Foundation. We realize that we are probably a long shot since we are small and suburban but we figured we would give it a shot! The monies would establish a funding source for HHN for years to come which we could use interest earned for repairs to the building or equipment.
We NEED YOUR HELP!
This is a competition which voting will determine the winners. Voting opens today, July 10 and continues through AUGUST 10. You may vote ONE TIME PER DAY PER EMAIL ADDRESS.
Please vote for Helping Hands! To do so, go to Vote Now! | Six for 60 | Stark Community Foundation You will see a list of organizations by category, HHN IS UNDER HUMAN SERVICES click on Helping Hands link and vote. Your vote will be verified with an email sent to your email address for you to verify your vote. REMEMBER YOU CAN VOTE EVERYDAY! If you have any questions, please let us know! We appreciate your support!
06-28-23 HAPPY JULY 4TH!
Just a reminder that Helping Hands will be CLOSED on July 4th! We WILL be open on Wednesday, July 5: 9-11:30/1-2:30. Have a safe 4th!
06-21-23
It’s Back to School Supply Time!
Helping Hands will once again be participating in Sandy Valley’s Back to School Bash on August 16, 2023. Last year, through your generosity, we provided the following to Sandy Valley students:
Items taken to school 2022:
RED PENS 100
BLACK/BLUE PENS 300
COLORED PENCILS 75
COLLEGE LOOSE LEAF 150
COLLEGE SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS 200
CRAYONS 164
ELMERS GLUE 80
GLUE STICKS 400
WIDE RULED NOTEBOOKS 150
WIDE LOOSE LEAF 125
WIDE COMPOSITION BOOKS 90
SCHOOL BOXES 40
TICONDEROGA PENCILS 300
REGULAR PENCILS 400
WASHABLE MARKERS 30
WATERCOLORS 15
HIGHLIGHTERS 160
SCISSORS 75
LARGE ERASERS 260
ZIPPER POUCH 100
TOTAL ITEMS 3214
We also provided supplies to St. James Elementary.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED THIS YEAR INCLUDE:
2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR SUPPLIES NEEDED
WIDE RULED LOOSE-LEAF PAPER
COLLEGE RULED LOOSE LEAF PAPER
WIDE RULED SPIRAL BOUND NOTEBOOKS (RED, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, PURPLE)
COLLEGE RULED SPIRAL BOUND NOTEBOOKS (RED, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, PURPLE)
GLUE STICKS
YELLOW HIGHLIGHTERS
LARGE PINK ERASERS
BOOKBAGS
8 OZ. BOTTLES OF ELMER'S GLUE
24 PACK CRAYOLA CRAYONS
# 2 PENCILS- TICONDEROGA PRE-SHARPENED BRAND ONLY
CRAYOLA WASHABLE MARKERS- PACK OF 10
2 POCKET PLASTIC FOLDERS IN RED, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE OR PURPLE
FISKAR SCHOOL SCISSORS
ZIPPER PENCIL POUCH
PLASTIC SCHOOL BOX
INDEX CARDS- LINED AND UNLINED
BLUE OR BLACK PENS
CRAYOLA COLORED PENCILS PACK OF 12
CAP ERASERS
COMPOSITION BOOKS
CRAYOLA WATERCOLORS
ALL SCHOOL SUPPLIES ARE DUE TO HELPING HANDS BY AUGUST 8 so that we have time to sort and organize. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at 330-866-2005 and Tuesday or Wednesday.
As always, THANK YOU for your support of Helping Hands and our community! Sincerely, Becky
05-31-22
THANK YOU SOUTHERN 4-H CLUB AND CUSTOM LANDSCAPING!
Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Southern 4-H Club cleaned and mulched the flower beds in front of Helping Hands. This project was completed by these energetic young people and their advisors, who took their time to give back to their community. Thank you for your time and energy in preparing us for summer! Thank you Custom Landscaping for donating the mulch! Our landscaping looks GREAT!!!
05-03-23
THANK YOU NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Helping Hands recently received $15,000 from New Life Christian Church. The church, located in Waynesburg, recently had to make the difficult decision to close. Members of the church visited Helping Hands earlier this spring to learn about our operations and services provided to the community. The New Life Christian Church Board then decided which local nonprofits to support with their remaining funds.
We are so blessed by this generous donation and want to thank all the members of the New Life Church for thinking of Helping Hands. Their support will impact our families with nutritious food! THANK YOU AGAIN for caring for your neighbors in need!
03-07-23 THANK YOU FROM HELPING HANDS
As you may know, HHN operates solely on community support, both financially and in time from volunteers. On many occasions we receive verbal appreciation for what we provide. We recently received a lovely note from a young member of one of our families. We pass this on to YOU, our supporters. It is YOU who make happen the work we do, so even though we received the note, it really is a thank you to YOU. Thank you from all of us at HHN also :-)
02-07-23 Welcome to our website!
We are thrilled to once again have a website to keep the community updated about our services/needs/accomplishments!
Please stop back frequently as we will update happenings at the pantry here! If you are a numbers person, you might be interested in what our food totals were for 2022. As always call or email with any questions!
Helping Hands by the numbers.....
In 2023:
HHN passed along 177,172 pounds of food, including 24, 245 pounds of fresh produce
Served an average of 652 individuals in an average of 218 families
Provided close to 150,000 meals to our neighbors in need
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