Helping Hands entering important time of year

By Nancy Horton
Special to The Friday Flyer

Helping Hands is an all-volunteer faith-based non-denominational organization based in Canyon Lake serving low income neighbors in need. That means helping seniors who must choose between paying the rent or mortgage or buying needed medications and eating regular meals.

Food insecurity among seniors has increased 50 percent over the last decade. Even when food is available, seniors may not be able to cook it or access it. This could be due to lack of transportation, functional limitations, or health problems. They may not qualify for help under current federal standards, and they certainly do not have enough income to cover their basic expenses.

Bob Sasser and his wife, Linda, Canyon Lake residents, started Helping Hands in 2008 to provide monthly food deliveries to feed insecure people. Each year, the number of deliveries has grown, the number of volunteers has increased, and the work of keeping people alive and well has improved. Helping Hands became a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization in 2016.

Caring volunteers are given the names and addresses of those in need and they deliver a bag or two to their “clients.” The visit includes a few moments of asking how the person is doing, making a note of special needs, and offering a cheery hello and prayer.

Volunteers donate their time and resources at Helping Hands food distribution sites, in the warehouse bagging operations, offering transportation or giving other assistance. Some Helping Hands volunteers visit senior communities and deliver to larger groups, such as a recent drop-off that was arranged for a low-income apartment complex in Lake Elsinore.

Helping Hands’ service area is in the unincorporated areas of Southwest Riverside County and the cities of Hemet, Perris, Menifee, Quail Valley, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, and Temecula.

Bob recently recruited a new co-leader, Larry Evans. Larry grew up in Westminster. He is the IT Manager Professional/ IT Systems Engineer for Beckman Coulter (A Danaher Company). He also provides computer and support services.

Larry is married to Michelle and they have two daughters, Kylene, 17, and Kaitlyn, 16. He started with Helping Hands as a packing volunteer at the monthly events and started up a local food pickup distribution event. The service he provides has now expanded to leading many parts of this ministry.

Helping Hands currently needs to expand its food storage capacity. Thanks to a generous grant from Feeding America, a new truck was provided to replace an old one that no longer met smog requirements and could not be insured. Another grant covered the cost of registering and insuring the vehicle.

Larry said those new to Helping Hands may not understand what it is the organization does for the communities it serves.

“We are primarily a food pantry that provides many service opportunities to serve our surrounding communities and neighbors in need,” he said.

In the month of October, donors gave over 1,000 pairs of warm socks as part of Soctoberfest.  Canyon Lake Community Church’s Youth Group bagged the socks and they are being distributed around the Helping Hands service area.

There are Helping Hands gray donation bins at several Canyon Lake locations, including at the Canyon Lake Town Center at Pack, Wrap and Post and at City Hall. These bins accept donations of canned goods, non-perishables, and packaged foods. These gifts make the food bags even more worthwhile for Helping Hands clients.

Donations can also be made for the holidays on the group’s website: www.HelpingHandsGroup.us. With the community’s help, turkey dinners and extra quantities can reach those in need.