Our Mission Offering for May & June:  Willing Hands

Every week Willing Hands recovers between 4 and 5 tons of surplus wholesome food and delivers it free of charge to people in need throughout the Upper Valley, from Springfield, VT to Orford, NH.  The non-profit organization serves people of all ages; supplying produce to food-shelves, community meals and rehabilitation programs.  It also delivers directly to families and seniors in low-income housing.

Willing Hands picks up donations of fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, bread, and frozen meat from local grocers, farmers and bakers, and delivers it to organizations serving our neighbors in need. Willing Hands coordinates efforts with 28 local food donors.  58 organizations currently receive deliveries at least once per week, all year ‘round.  All of the food that Willing Hands delivers is donated.  All of it is nutritious. All of it would likely have gone to waste.

By providing fruits and vegetables on a regular basis they are reducing the food insecurity of many of our neediest neighbors and encouraging them to make positive changes in their eating habits.  Many of their recipients rely on the boxed, non-perishable food typically available at regional food shelves. The fresh fruits and vegetables provided by Willing Hands are an essential and welcome supplement. According to the USDA, “lower income families in the U.S. are twice as likely as higher income families not to buy any fruits or vegetables in a given week.”  Willing Hands also provides nutrition education through a popular series of hands-on cooking workshops offered to their recipients, free of charge.

The Board of Mission invites you to support this important local nonprofit through a donation, and to find out how you can assist in other ways by going to their website www.willinghandsinc.org