HeartLand Hands Update

During the month of October, 2010, HeartLand Hands served 246 families consisting of 769 individuals.  An average of 16 volunteers a day served 516 hours.

We were delighted to celebrate our 4^th anniversary with the entire church on Sunday, Oct. 10.

On Oct. 28^th, HeartLand Hands sponsored the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) training for North MS agencies at our pantry.  One representative from MS Food Network explained how we could help expedite paper work for the food stamp office by making our clients aware of the qualifications for food stamps and the initial forms that their office requires.  HeartLand Hands volunteers were gracious to clean, mop, decorate, and host this event.  Nine volunteers stayed for the afternoon training along with 20 volunteers from other agencies across North MS.

We were thrilled to received authorization Heartland to construct a wall that will allow us to lock all HeartLand Hands food and offices.  This will offer a measure of security for the interviewing offices and the lobby, as well as bring us into compliance that all food be locked.

We were the grateful recipients of very successful food drives by Quilting in the Grove organization and Weight Watchers/Southaven.  We also had donations of bath tissue, bath soap, dish detergent, Christmas gift bags and hygiene items.

Starbucks donated a total of 345 pastries and one bag of coffee.

A working washer and dryer were donated to us and within a few days we passed them on to a client who desperately needed them.  This same client had a refrigerator, microwave and other items that she wanted to donate to us, and we were able to pass these on to another client in need.

HeartLand Hands has delivered 2 emergency boxes this month.

Several days this month we have had 9 new clients per day to register.   This is in addition to our regular clients.

A trucker found our phone number on the internet and delivered 20 cases of apples to us on a Thursday afternoon.  We were able to share them with Olive Branch Food Pantry and Samaritans.

We have been able to have staff devotional time.  We will be opening the doors at 9:45 during the winter months to allow clients to sit in on these devotions.  A volunteer has agreed to be available both Tuesdays and Thursdays to our clients for spiritual questions and /or counseling as needed. This will provide a much needed spiritual dimension upon request only.  He has been able to encourage 3 families this month – two in crisis situations and one for spiritual direction.  What a wonderful asset for Heartland Hands!

 

What is this with the candy?

Halloween is on a Sunday this year and for about 8 months I have pondered about what to do as a children’s pastor. Do you have something at the church? or Do you let your church members be the salt and Light in our world? I opted for salt and light. Every year my light is off in my neighborhood because we are off doing the Lord’s work. This year I want to turn on my light! and be a part of the Light in my neighborhood. I don’t know if you noticed the boxes in the foyer areas of the church building. They are there because Unity Church, our sister church that meets on Saturday nights, is having a block party in a trailer park subdivision on Hwy. 51 in Nesbit. This is going to be next Saturday, October 9th. They are choosing to be salt and Light in this neighborhood. So it is time to candy up! I’m always looking for an excuse to buy Snickers! LOL Elaine, at the HeartMarket has purchased some stretchy bands that are designed to be given out with or without candy for Halloween. They come individually wrapped and with scripture on them. Real cute and a real witness. Tonight is Wednesday at HeartLand and time for KidJam Lite. I look forward to it every week. The kids are excited to be there to learn and worship. They are great kids. Our Wall of Champions will start to fill up tonight with a picture of each child that memorizes scripture. I can’t wait!

Heartland Hands Update

During the month of July, 2010, HeartLand Hands served 203 families consisting of 619 people.  An average of 15 volunteers a day served 481 hours.

The Community Helper, publishes and distributes information cards along with retail coupons to residents in DeSoto County.  This year their card listed 8 Community Help Programs.  HeartLand Hands was one of those eight. In addition to the community awareness these cards provide, the director visited the pantry and gave us a cash donation.

Petco donated a gererous amount of pet food. Schnucks on Swinnea and Goodman donated 4 boxes of food. Our volunteers and others donated hygiene items, eggs, baby food, laundry detergent, softner, and cleaning supplies along with other assorted food items.

One of our main volunteers has been unable to volunteer this month due to health issues and he is greatly missed. We have one student volunteer who will be with us for 6 weeks and new volunteer is being trained in the pantry but we will be losing one due to work conflicts. At this time, we are unable ot accept clients as volunteers.

Memphis Food Bank increased our purchasing limit, and we have been purchasing more food and are able to pay our bill immediately upon pick-up.

One of our refrigerators was not maintaining a consistent temperture and needed to be repaired, so a Heartland person was able to determine and repair the problem before any of the food was lost.

We submitted a request to receive potatoes directly from growers.  Our request was forwarded to Jackson for consideration, but we have not gotten any further response.

We are grateful to have HeartLand Hands needs published twice this month in the Sunday info sheet.  However, we have not been overrun with response.

If you would like to volunteer to help with HeartLand Hands you can contact Connie James at connie@heartlandchurch.cc. To donate needed items, you may place them in the barrels in the foyer and kids klub entrance, or contact Connie for large or perishable things.