About Us

Who We Are

God’s Helping Hands of Mecosta County is an ecumenical community coalition dedicated to answering God’s call by serving our neighbors in need, primarily through emergency food and supplemented by other support programs.

Through the generosity of our community and the dedication of our volunteers we strive to instill dignity and offer hope to those facing difficult circumstances.

Our spiritual guiding principle in carrying out this mission comes from scripture; “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for these least brothers of Mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40)

Mission Statement

God’s Helping Hands of Mecosta County, Inc. founded in 1979 in Remus, Michigan is a 501[c][3] non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency food services to residents of Mecosta County. We are supported by a coalition of eight area churches, local businesses and our surrounding community. In addition to the food pantry, we operate a community-supported Resale Store offering donated clothing and household goods for sale at deep bargain prices. Proceeds from sales help to fund the purchase of food that is distributed to those in need.

Our Organization

We are led by an Executive Director, Assistant Director and Treasurer under the guidance and governance of a Board of Directors made up of pastors and representatives from our eight supporting churches.

Day to day operations is supported by a team of over 80 active volunteers.

Our Board of Directors

President

Pastor Dar Howard

Mecosta “The Village” Free Methodist

Vice President

Ken Swathwood

Chapel of the Lakes Lutheran Church

Secretary

Dale Doepker

Sylvester Community Church

Members

Wally Ewing / Karrie Randall

New Hope Global Methodist Church

Mark Maurer / Patricia Sugars

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

Pastor Rick Lippert

Barryton Church of Christ

Pastor Henry Hawver / Lois Hawver

Wheatland Church of Christ

Linda Lalond

Barryton Church of God

Michael Simon

Sylvester Community Church

Our Leadership Team

Executive Director

Raymond Gilbert

Asst. Director

Donald Charais

Deputy Asst. Director

Joan Abel

Treasurer

Pam Piatt

Asst. Treasurer

Cecile Gilbert

Our Supporting Churches

Barryton Church of Christ

Pastor Rick Lippert

18221 N. 30th Avenue
Barryton, MI 49305
(989) 382-5383
bcochrist.org

Barryton Church of God

Pastor John Mellish

20244 N. 30th Avenue
Barryton, MI  49305
(989) 382-7789
barrytonchurchofgod.com

Chapel of the Lakes Lutheran Church

Rev. Mark Gilson

9047 90th Ave.
Mecosta, MI 49332
(231) 972-7891
chapelofthelakesmecosta.com

Mecosta "The Village" Free Methodist Church

Pastor Dar Howard

101 East Main Street
Mecosta, MI  49332
(989) 560-8304
facebook.com/mecostavillagefmchurch

New Hope Global Methodist Church

Pastor Wayne McKenney

7296 9 Mile Rd.
Mecosta, MI  49332
(231) 972-2838
new-hope-gmc.churchcenter.com

Fr. Michael Alber

8929 50th Ave.
Remus, MI 49340
(989) 967-3520
stmichaelremus.com

Sylvester Community Church

Pastor Simon Endacott

4954 Spruce Street
Mecosta, MI. 49332
(231) 972-0233
sylvestercommunitychurch.com

Wheatland Church of Christ

Pastor Henry Hawver

3025 11 Mile Rd.
Remus, MI. 49340
(989) 967-8330
facebook.com/wheatlandchurchofchrist