Helping Hands Ministry has a new director filling a position vacated by Pat Rice who retired last October after serving for almost 30 years.
Matt Tucker of Kosciusko has been named director of the ministry that helps needy and impoverished families of Attala County. He joined volunteers at the ministry building Tuesday morning in anticipation of carrying out the duties of director.
Mary Davidson has served as interim director of the ministry since the retirement of Rice last October.
“We are excited to welcome Matt as our new director. He has a ministerial background and a true servant's heart. He is youthful and energetic with a lot of ideas for advancing our ministry,” Davidson said.
Tucker is a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Conference and has served as a supply pastor at Lebanon UMC and Belfountain UMC churches in Webster County. He is involved in activities of the First United Methodist Church and for several years has played the part of Jesus in the annual Passion Play. He is also a member of the First UMC choir and serves as a Sunday School teacher. He has served as a youth volunteer and is a past youth director at First UMC.
He has also been associated with Claude Julian’s, a Kosciusko clothing store.
Tucker said getting youth of the community involved in Helping Hands is among his priorities and he hopes that their involvement will be a stepping stone toward his goals of serving the community. Through a presence in the comminity, Helping Hands is the hands and feet of Christ, Tucker said.
Helping Hands distributes food every Tuesday and Thursday morning, also clothing to all ages, provides for families following loss from fire and operates a Thrift Store on North Madison Street.
“I urge the community to support Matt in his role as director,” said Davidson. Davidson, who is a member of Helping Hands Board of Directors, said others on the board join her in welcoming Tucker.
Mary Al Alford, a member of the board, said Matt brings vitality with his ideas and vision for Helping Hands. “We are grateful that he has taken the job,” she said.
Other board members are Kenny Dungan, Richard Carter, Owen Oliver, Chip Hawkins, Cliff Davidson, Celeste Poole, Pam Chadick, Sissy Aldy, Marie Harmon, Bernard Teague and Rebecca Doty.
