Planting Hope
by Brenda Hunt, Executive Director
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Each year, one sure sign for me that spring is just around the corner is the arrival of all the seed catalogs in my mailbox. In late January or early February, when winter days seem to hang on forever (especially this year!), the colorful pages and descriptions of the different varieties of fruits, vegetables and flowers inspire hope that better days are just ahead and make me anxious to get out and plant something. Fifty-five years ago, the Board of Missions of the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB), with “seed money” from the EUB Women’s Division, was inspired to do a different kind of planting. The result was the sprouting of a local ministry in Philippi, WV, that would bring hope and address the needs of those facing hunger and uncertainty due to unemployment. The name of the ministry was derived from an acrostic meaning: Helping Earnest Appalachians Reach Toward A New Day of Hope, Aspiration, Nurture, and Dignity. Since the facility operated from a house, the official name became Heart and Hand House.
In this our 55th year of ministry, we celebrate the many caring hearts and hands that have nurtured this organization, enabling us to grow and touch the lives of countless low-income families in our community. Included in this newsletter is a report of ministry activities in 2019, showing how we continue to carry on the mission of "minister[ing] to the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs of in-crisis, low-income people of Barbour County and its immediate surroundings." We pray that you will help us continue to tend the seed that was planted in 1965 through your prayers, gifts and service, so that together we may go on producing good “fruit," providing for the needs of those who are facing crisis and uncertainty today.
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What's Happening Around the Ministry...
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THRIFT STORES
Our thrift stores have been closed since March 19, due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Not only do we miss our customers, but we also miss our donors who keep us well-stocked with clothing, shoes, household goods and other useful items. Although we are unable to receive donated goods at this time, as you do your spring cleaning while quarantined at home, please remember to save all those good, used items to bring to us once we are back in operation. We count on these gifts to help low-income persons in our community and generate support for our other ministry programs.
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FOOD PANTRY
As many families find themselves struggling even more right now, it comes as no surprise that we have had an increase in the number of people visiting our food pantry in recent weeks. We've had to be a bit creative in how we do things and are currently providing "curb service” for our food pantry clients. This process has allowed us to continue to meet needs, while protecting our staff and our client families. Food supplies are running low, however, so donations of pasta, macaroni and cheese, cornbread mix, or side-dish items are welcomed.
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HOME REPAIR & CONSTRUCTION
While we are moving forward with tentative plans for this summer's home repair projects and the construction of a new house, we do so amid much uncertainty. Many of the preliminary site visits have had to be cancelled, and many work teams are unsure whether they will be able to come, meaning several projects will have to be postponed until next year. The new house foundation was started in March, however, and our hope is that we can move forward with more work at that site later this summer or early in the fall.
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GARDEN MARKET
The Community Garden Market has continued operating on a regular basis throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, providing eggs, meat, produce, and other essentials, along with Grab-and-Go meals. Daily market news, including new products and the Grab-and-Go menu can be found on the market's
Facebook page (bccgardenmarket)
or by calling them at 304-457-5774. Sign up for email notifications, by emailing gardenmarket@heartandhandhouse.org and asking to be added to their mailing list.
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Follow the link below to see a snapshot of services provided in 2019. These numbers represent lives that are being touched, thanks to the support of our many ministry partners.
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PO Box 128
Philippi, WV 26416
Phone: 304-457-1295
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