If you need to send something to us, our mailing address is Helping Hands, PO Box 532, Howard City, MI 49329
Helping Hands has been organized as a response to the needs of our community. Located in Howard City, we are a united effort of the Tri-County area churches to share the love of God and further His Kingdom by providing emergency food assistance, referral for counseling and a place to learn how you can help others.
We are always in need of these supplies:
Boxed Dinners · Boxed Potatoes · Canned Soups · Canned Fruits
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes · Deodorants & Soaps
Canned Vegetables · Pasta & Pasta Sauces · Healthy Cereals
We are always in need of these supplies:
Boxed Dinners · Boxed Potatoes · Canned Soups · Canned Fruits
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes · Deodorants & Soaps
Canned Vegetables · Pasta & Pasta Sauces · Healthy Cereals
There are three ways you can help us...
Pray - There are deep-seated reasons why poverty exists in a wealthy country such as ours. Please pray for those in need and also for those who are seeking to help others by changing policies that reinforce hunger and homelessness.
Volunteer - We are always in need of a few extra hands. Please check our Events page for upcoming events where we need help! You may also call us at 231-937-5177, send us an e-mail, or fill out our volunteer form.
Give - Gifts of a money as well as supplies are gladly welcomed. Any money received goes toward buying food at a greatly reduced price through our partnerships with the various local businesses who have partnered with us.
Helping Hands Board President - Andrea Newell - 480-221-4684
Helping Hands VP & Scheduling Coordinator - Tanya Ringlever - 231-937-6416
Helping Hands Board Treasurer - Fred Plath - 231-937-6758
Helping Hands Board Secretary - Joyce Hanson - 231-937-4042
Get In Touch
Helping Hands VP & Scheduling Coordinator - Tanya Ringlever - 231-937-6416
Helping Hands Board Treasurer - Fred Plath - 231-937-6758
Helping Hands Board Secretary - Joyce Hanson - 231-937-4042
Total People Helped In Recent Years
2026
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
Adults
409
416
432
477
401
2135
Children
183
202
196
242
207
1030
People
592
618
628
719
608
3165
Families
183
189
203
217
175
967
New Clients
14
11
13
15
8
61
So far in 2026 we have been blessed to give 75 Birthday Bags
2025
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
Adults
362
320
355
341
327
325
329
380
352
449
432
405
4377
Children
207
141
184
154
142
162
144
208
159
210
233
181
2125
People
569
461
539
495
469
487
473
588
511
659
665
586
6502
Families
161
149
163
152
149
152
148
169
161
199
203
189
1995
New Clients
7
13
8
10
6
14
19
15
19
17
29
16
173
In 2025 we were blessed to give 122 Easter Baskets, 203 Turkeys, 73 bags from
Leppinks Food Centers, and 109 Birthday Bags
Jan 2024
Feb 2024
Mar 2024
Apr 2024
May 2024
Jun 2024
Jul 2024
Aug 2024
Sep 2024
Oct 2024
Nov 2024
Dec 2024
Adults
373
343
376
308
364
385
356
410
312
390
445
Total - 4062
373
343
376
308
364
385
356
410
312
390
445
Total - 4062
Children
210
182
170
128
205
199
181
195
153
176
209
Total - 2008
210
182
170
128
205
199
181
195
153
176
209
Total - 2008
People
583
525
546
436
569
584
537
605
465
566
654
Total - 6070
583
525
546
436
569
584
537
605
465
566
654
Total - 6070
Families
167
168
168
142
173
171
166
184
150
175
198
Total - 1862
167
168
168
142
173
171
166
184
150
175
198
Total - 1862
New Clients
8
17
14
11
19
9
21
22
16
23
16
Total - 176
8
17
14
11
19
9
21
22
16
23
16
Total - 176
In 2024 we were blessed to give 60 Easter Baskets ,76 Turkeys, 98 bags from
Leppinks Food Centers, and 21 Birthday Bags
Jan 2023
Feb 2023
Mar 2023
Apr 2023
May 2023
Jun 2023
Jul 2023
Aug 2023
Sep 2023
Oct 2023
Nov 2023
Dec 2024
Adults
275
215
357
287
394
370
388
399
313
407
482
386
Total - 4273
275
215
357
287
394
370
388
399
313
407
482
386
Total - 4273
Children
125
80
152
145
209
174
235
172
125
251
257
194
Total - 2119
125
80
152
145
209
174
235
172
125
251
257
194
Total - 2119
People
400
295
509
432
603
544
623
571
438
658
749
580
Total - 6392
400
295
509
432
603
544
623
571
438
658
749
580
Total - 6392
Families
131
99
167
146
182
173
176
180
152
187
221
181
Total - 1995
131
99
167
146
182
173
176
180
152
187
221
181
Total - 1995
New Clients
14
13
22
13
12
20
17
30
11
23
28
27
Total - 232
14
13
22
13
12
20
17
30
11
23
28
27
Total - 232
In 2023 we were blessed to give 111 Easter baskets, 598 bags from
Leppinks Food Centers, and help over 681 families with someone aged 60+
Jan 2022
Feb 2022
Mar 2022
Apr 2022
May 2022
Jun 2022
Jul 2022
Aug 2022
Sep 2022
Oct 2022
Nov 2022
Dec 2022
Adults
197
170
226
212
260
284
270
248
265
247
341
267
Total - 2882
197
170
226
212
260
284
270
248
265
247
341
267
Total - 2882
Children
81
63
98
74
167
105
126
133
108
103
129
98
Total - 1198
81
63
98
74
167
105
126
133
108
103
129
98
Total - 1198
People
278
233
324
286
427
353
396
381
373
350
470
365
Total - 4080
278
233
324
286
427
353
396
381
373
350
470
365
Total - 4080
Families
97
170
105
100
130
118
131
118
126
126
149
129
Total - 1454
97
170
105
100
130
118
131
118
126
126
149
129
Total - 1454
New Clients
14
7
12
8
7
16
10
5
10
11
8
13
Total - 120
14
7
12
8
7
16
10
5
10
11
8
13
Total - 120
In 2022 we were blessed to be able to give out 68 Easter Baskets, 29 Turkeys, and 198 Turkey Breasts!