For the parents of so many children who receive free/reduced breakfasts each morning at schools across Belton, spring break isn’t much of a break.  Lower income families who rely on the free breakfasts for their children have to make their dollars stretch even further during the school holidays in order to feed their children.  Altrusa International of Temple is making spring break for these parents a little easier this year.

A $2,500 donation from Altrusa is being given to Helping Hands Ministry of Belton in order to provide breakfast for 700 needy children.   (more…)

Thanks to the ER Carpenter Foundation in Temple, the balance of the building loan of $400,000 for which Helping Hands Ministry is due to pay by May 1^st is $30,000 less.  Helping Hands Ministry began a lease purchase agreement with Sonny Wooley Properties Management, L.C. in September of 2008 for their current building, located on 2210 Holland Road in Belton.   The $400,000 loan was set to be paid by May 1^st, less than four years from the beginning date of the loan.

“It was a huge leap of faith when the board decided to trust God for this facility.   (more…)

The first education classes of 2012 began in January.  The Family Finances class (taught by the Collegiate Financial Organization of the College of Business at UMHB) was presented first.  On Monday the Child Safety (Crib, Car and Home) was taught by Safe Kids from Scott & White hospital.  Both classes gave clients of Helping Hands many useful tools to use in life.  The goal of these classes is to help those who attend to become more cognizant of the opportunities that they have to enhance their own lives and the lives of those in their family and neighborhoods.  Hopefully, the clients will not only graduate from the free education classes offered by Helping Hands Ministry, but will graduate to a life of independence in which they no longer need to come to Helping Hands for groceries and rental assistance as they move out of a life of poverty.

Other classes include, Energy Efficiency in the Home, Nutritious Cooking, Healthy Life Decisions, Child Obesity Prevention, Becoming a Love & Logic Parent and Homework Help for Parents.  All of the classes are taught by professionals from other organizations in the community who have partnered with Helping Hands Ministry.  Classes are offered in both English and Spanish.