Helping Hands almost empty; needs support 3/11/2014
Published 12:00 am Friday, March 7, 2014
Jim Reeves, volunteer with the Helping Hands Storehouse, assessed the nonprofit’s meager resources Thursday. All the furniture shown awaits delivery this week to local families who have recently lost their homes in fires. There’s no more furniture to give away, Reeves said. The countertop to the right is usually piled high with blankets and pillows, but those have been exhausted as well, he said. The Panolian photo by Rita Howell
Resources depleted as nonprofit steps in to assist local families
By John Howell
The Helping Hands Storehouse has been depleted this winter, assisting families who have lost their homes to fire.
“We’re out of money; we’re out of furniture; we’re out of food,” Helping Hands volunteer Jim Reeves said. “We’ve had ten families burned out in the last 30 days.”
The Helping Hands Storehouse was founded by Batesville physician Dr. David Ball and others following a successful one-day food and aid distribution through the Convoy of Hope in May, 2011.
The Convoy of Hope led to the founding of Helping Hands as a non-profit organization to work in concert with local churches to provide assistance to local people in need.
The Helping Hands Storehouse has provided food, furniture and money to help families who lose their homes to fire get back on their feet. Initial assistance is provided by the American Red Cross, Reeves said. The Red Cross then calls Helping Hands, he said, for additional help for Panola County families.
The long, cold winter has led to more fires and more losses, Reeves said.
“Donations would be great, because we’re broke,” the volunteer said. “We need furniture,” he added.
Monetary donations may be mailed to Batesville Clinic, Attn. Helping Hands Storehouse, 107 Eureka St., Batesville, MS 38606.
Donations of furniture, non-perishable foods, working appliances and other items that can be used to help a family restart housekeeping can be taken to the Helping Hands Storehouse building on Highway 6 West on the old Compress property.
Contact Reeves at 662-444-7003 for donations of furniture or for further information.
