Volunteer-run Helping Hand Ministry grows in 2021

Helping Hand Ministry (HHM), a partner non-profit of First Church, offers short-term financial assistance to Tulsa County residents. It was created as an outreach project by First Presbyterian Church in 1981 and is structured to help individuals or families once a year with rent, utilities or 6-months for food or prescriptions. Since COVID-19 has continued into 2021, HHM continues to need financial support for families that are struggling to pay their monthly bills, primarily rental assistance, and in desperate need of a helping hand. Many have lost their jobs, on the edge of poverty and in imminent danger of becoming homeless.

Helping Hands stats

As of August 31, 2021, Helping Hand has disbursed $361,638 assisting 1,599 Tulsa County residents. Here’s a breakdown of the support provided:

• Food including 5,050 meals for 560 family members.
• Helped 397 family members avoid a shut-off of utility services.
• Supported 564 family members from being evicted.
• Assisted two individuals with needed prescription medication.
• Helped 76 individuals to secure photo IDs and/or food handlers’ permits in order to help them search for employment.

Below is a “thank you note” from one of the landlords when HHM assisted her tenant:

“Thank you so much for assisting my tenant with her rental payment. She is a hard-working person who got caught up in the COVID-19 crisis. I greatly appreciate the rental assistance you provided. It allows me to continue helping her through these difficult times.”

Helping Hand is staffed entirely by volunteers and First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa pays for all overhead expenses. One hundred percent of each dollar raised goes directly to aid basic needs in the Tulsa County Area. If you would like to support or volunteer for Helping Hand, visit their website at HelpingHandMinistry918.com.