Helping Hands 365
Helping Those in Need Throughout Central Minnesota
Who We Are
What We Do
Here at Helping Hands 365, we know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support. We are only able to accomplish our goals through the support of the community and businesses who contribute to our organization. Whether it be with knit scarfs and mittens for the children to stuff in their stockings, cash donations to help us shop for the older children, or gift cards for us to utilize on in-store purchases to ensure that we are able to fill food baskets for each family that needs to have a good home cooked meal during the Holidays, every little bit helps put a smile on the face of children at a time when they may not have a lot to smile about. Helping Hands 365 works diligently throughout the year to raise funds for our Holiday Program from garage sales to silent auctions to promoting our cause in the local parade to planning fund-raising events throughout the year. We are here to help both parents and grandparents raising children to ensure that there is at least one (1) gift for any child they might have living in the home through the age of 18. Helping Hands 365 is always willing to assist any family in need for our Holiday Program, without judgement or discrimination, and many times we have delivered packages to those families that have no means to attend our distribution.
Activities
Within the Community
Holiday Toy Distribution
Helping Hands 365’s biggest event of the year is our Holiday Toy Distribution. This is what we work so hard raising funds for all year. It is an extremely great feeling to know that you helped a family in need either be able to put a gift under the tree for the children Christmas morning; or even just be able to know that they will have a home-cooked meal on the table without worrying how they would be able to afford food for the week. We are one of the few organizations currently allowing grandparents raising their grandchildren, for whatever the reason may be, to sign up for a toy program. Helping Hands 365 also provides for all children in the home up to the age of 18, which most programs stop providing for children at the age of 12-14. Not only do we provide gifts for the children, but we also provide food baskets to those families that need it. Along with the toys available at the distribution we ensure that there are stocking stuffers available for all age groups and genders; and sometimes we are even provided knitted items (hats, mittens, scarfs) from local families that worked all year to ensure that there would be a substantial selection to provide for the distribution. Should you be interested in volunteering, donating, or contributing for the Holiday Toy Distribution please utilize the Contact Us button to send an email so that we may ensure that your contribution is utilized to best assist the families we service.
Garage Sales
Our Garage Sales are only one of the ways that Helping Hands 365 raises money throughout the year to fund our Holiday Program. In 2022 we had a sale in April and another in September. Most of the items found at our sales are sold for anywhere from .25¢ to a few dollars, with a few exceptions for antiques and the like. The best part is that all the items are donated to us by people in the community that we serve. If someone is cleaning out their garage or attic, or have leftovers from their own garage sale, they call us to come and pick-up their items to add to our garage sale. This allows us to have virtually no investment cost out of the organization's pocket so that more of the profits can go right to the families that need it the most. If you, or anyone you know, have items that they would like to contribute/donate to our organization please utilize the Contact Us button to send an email so that we can coordinate a time to collect your donation.
Interacting with the Community
At Helping Hands 365, we are always looking for ways to get our name out to the public to raise awareness of how we can help the community. Not only do we accept donations during these events; but we get families signed up for our programs, recruit volunteers, provide resources for needs beyond what we can assist with, and simply have fun in general. This past year we decided to do a day where families could come in and have their picture done with Santa, along with having a treat and make a Christmas ornament for their tree. Everyone had a wonderful time and many people that would not have known about us or what we do were given the opportunity to sign up for our program!
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Nelson Mandela
Contact Helping Hands 365
104 2nd Street South East, Little Falls, MN 56345