Page 3 - The Friday Flyer • January 19, 2018

JANUARY 19, 2018 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3

Helping Hands Group delivers food to elderly...

ttFROM PAGE A1 Bob shares alarming statistics: “Food
Hands then started the process of getting Insecurity is a real thing that occurs
when people have just enough money
him off the street and into housing. to pay rent and utilities and often not
There are many other incidents dur- enough for medical attention or food.
ing this past year that can be cited, but California Food Policy Advocates, re-
Helping Hands has discovered an even ports there are more than 100,000 food
more pressing need in their local com- insecure adults in Riverside County
munity. and more than 34,000 that actually go
While giving care and aid to the el- hungry. Our service area has more than
derly in Elsinore, Hemet, Sun City and 60,000 seniors living below federal pov-
beyond, the financial plight of the elder- erty rate consequently we have more
ly became more and more evident. Bob than 20,000 that go hungry.”
and his volunteers would go to the home To meet the needs of the many el-
of an elderly person and discover that derly that have reached the end of their
they had no or little food. funds, Helping Hands Group has joined
Many of the seniors were going hun- with Feeding America Riverside San
gry. They were choosing to pay rent and Bernardino Counties. Feeding America
utilities over purchasing nutritious food. provides Helping Hands Group with a
Each month, many local seniors were steady supply of food so that their por- PHOTO PROVIDED BY PAT VAN DYKE
living on peanut butter and water while table food panty can be fully stocked
waiting for their Social Security check each week.
to arrive. But there are still dire needs in which
Distressed by this fact, Bob and his Helping Hands Group is looking for
volunteers sought to develop an addi- a solution. The number one need right The Helping Hands Group’s portable food pantry is stocked with non-perishable foods to be
tional program for Helping Hands. They now is warehouse space. Currently, delivered directly to the elderly.
began to discuss how to meet this need Helping Hands Group relies on the gen-
as quickly and efficiently as possible. erosity of a local volunteer for space in ways, donations of funds and volunteers need, reap the benefits of their efforts.
The idea of a portable food pantry was his warehouse but the program will rap- are always needed. Everyone wins.
discussed and just a short time later, a idly expand beyond the space he has to The mission statement of Helping For information concerning donat-
van was purchased and stocked with offer. Hands Group is “People Helping People ing funds, time, or equipment, visit the
non-perishable foods to be delivered di- The second need is nutritious food in Need” and it is truly just that. People Helping Hands Group website at Help-
rectly to the elderly. and a way to manage and store those with giving hearts are directed and giv- ingHandsGroup.us. Helping Hands also
In the past few months, this program goods. There is a supply of milk eggs, en the means to effectively serve in the has a PayPal donation page or donation
has grown to more than 100 seniors and cheese, and vegetables readily avail- community. checks can be sent to Helping Hands
Helping Hands has identified more than able from Feeding America but no way Helping Hands serves the volunteers Group, 31566 Railroad Canyon Rd., Ste.
500 needy elders in their area of influ- to store or handle these foods. A large with the tools and direction to fulfill 2 box 1122, Canyon Lake, California,
ence. refrigeration unit is needed. And as al- their mission in life; and the people in 92587.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PAT VAN DYKE PHOTO PROVIDED BY PAT VAN DYKE

Help Hands Group volunteers Melinda Saunders, Geneta Farmer and Jan Dinoff create
Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations to be given to the elderly to brighten their homes Canyon Lake residents Jerry and Judy Swift serve on the Helping Hands Group Board of
for the holidays. Directors.

THE FRIDAY FLYER

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