With the thrift shop that generates a significant portion of its revenue closed for the foreseeable future and community needs growing, Helping Hands is in need of a helping hand or two itself.
According to Matt Tucker, who leads the ministry, the indefinite closure, which began in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, could cost the operation a quarter of its annual revenue if the shop remains closed until August.
The store was closed due to concern about the safety of accepting and processing donated material goods, as well as the required reduction in volunteers in the building (from 17 to seven on a recent day) to work within social distancing guidelines.
“We have to be diligent about the safety of our volunteers and our clients, many of whom are in at-risk groups,” said Tucker. “We can’t accept material donations because of possible contamination, lack of volunteers to process it all, and there is no way to get rid of it afterward since the thrift store is closed.”
Tucker said donations dropped at the ministry location and the thrift store will have to be disposed of, so he is asking those desiring to make material donations to please hold off for now.
“I don’t want people to think that we don’t appreciate it; we do, but please hold on for a few months until we can open up safely,” he said. “We will definitely need those donations then.”
Additionally, the organization has had to cancel several fundraisers, including its Mother’s Day tea, its gardening fundraiser and its bake sales.
In the meantime the organization continues to feed those in need and certainly could use financial help to continue doing so, he said.
“While churches have been faithful in tithing to us and people in the community have donated, so far, we’ve picked up 35 new families this month and 27 other families last month. We’re getting more and more families every month,” said Tucker. “We still deliver to those we can, but that’s still not serving everybody.”
Though a few clients have stopped coming for food while they are collecting additional COVID-19 benefits, Tucker said he expects those families to return as those benefits run out.
“When that runs out, we’re going to be even more of a necessity,” he said.
Although the organization receives food to distribute from the Mississippi Food Bank, the selections have become increasingly limited, causing Helping Hands to have to go out and purchase some goods for inclusion, having even more negative impact on the budget.
“We still have money and are spending, but we’re wondering how long we can keep it up with our thrift store closed,” he said. “We have a great community of giving and we need them to know that they can still help us.”
Tucker said the best way to help is for those who are able to make monetary donations, he said, noting that one woman kindly donated a significant portion of her stimulus check to the feeding program.
If you can help, mail your donation to Helping Hands, PO Box 299, Kosciusko, MS 39090.
If you need help, visit Helping Hands’ ministry location off Youth Center Road on Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon.
