Food Pantry
Our core mission is to provide emergency food services to residents of Mecosta County and neighboring communities, particularly for children enrolled in the Chippewa Hills School District. We provide boxes containing shelf-stable foods such as canned vegetables, soups, pasta, cereal and snack items, which are further supplemented with eggs, bread, ground beef and chicken. The quantity of food distributed is based on household size, ensuring everyone receives the equivalent of approximately 25 meals.
Christmas Meals
Each year in the months of October through November registered food clients can sign up to receive a box of foods to prepare a family Christmas meal including a turkey, stuffing mix, potatoes, gravy, fresh fruit, desserts and more. Distribution of these boxes occurs on a Sunday one or two weeks before Christmas.
Utility Assistance
Winter is a particularly difficult time of the year. Families already struggling to make ends meet should not face the added worry of having adequate shelter from the elements. During the peak heating months from October to March, God’s Helping Hands helps registered food clients avoid service interruption or have service reestablished. A client can receive financial assistance once during this six-month period for certain fuel types and limited to the minimum amount required to restore or keep service on. The client must demonstrate the ability to pay those charges not covered under this program such as service fees, reconnect fees, propane tank pressure test, etc.
Back-to-School Backpacks
& Supplies
Getting a family prepared for the school year can be a pretty daunting task. To help our clients, each August, in preparation for the school year, God’s Helping Hands provides the children of our registered clients with back packs filled with school supplies. Each child also receives a new pair of shoes.
Christmas Angel Tree
In partnership with one of our supporting churches, God’s Helping Hands provides Christmas gifts to our registered food clients. These gifts are distributed on the same day as the Christmas meal boxes.
Community “Giving Garden”
To help provide nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer months, God’s Helping Hands has created our Community Giving Garden. All produce harvested from our garden are made available to our clients receiving food assistance. The garden includes fruit trees, strawberries and a variety of annual vegetables.