Helping Hands Group in need of food donations

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has roughly 800,000 U.S. workers in crisis mode. Many government employees who once counted on a paycheck for food are suddenly forced to rely on their local pantries.

Helping Hands Group, a Canyon Lake based 501(c)(3) organization that delivers food locally to the disabled, elderly and people in crisis, is answering the call to assist government employees with food until they start receiving their paychecks again.

“When you live paycheck to paycheck and you miss a paycheck, some meals will be skipped and some bills will go unpaid,” said Helping Hands Group Director Robert Sasser.

The City of Canyon Lake and the POA recently partnered with Helping Hands Group to put food on the table for affected families and individuals. Residents who would like to assist are asked to drop off non-perishable foods, such as dry cereal, canned vegetables, fruit and tuna, in the gray receptacles located at City Hall, POA office, Canyon Lake Community Church, Pack, Wrap and Post in the Towne Center and My Buddies Pizza in Lake Elsinore. Helping Hands Group will see that those in need receive the food.

According to Sasser, Helping Hands Group feeds approximately 800 local families. The faith-based organization also offers assistance in the form of long-term and immediate relief with clothing, guidance, hands-on support and prayer. For more information about Helping Hands Group, visit helpinghandsgroup.us.