Tuesday, November 23rd marked Pastor Ron’s final distribution as President of the Board of Directors at the Hamilton Community Food Bank. It was wonderful to see community partnerships in action as the food bank volunteers worked alongside American Red Cross and Helping Hands at their Thanksgiving distribution. American Red Cross provided 48 cleanup kits and 25 cases of water to local families affected by the recent floods.
On December 1st, the leadership of Hamilton Community Food Bank will transition to Helping Hands.
Although the Hamilton First Baptist Church has been officially involved with the Hamilton Community Food Bank since July 2009, the history of the food bank begins years earlier. It began with the flooding that took place in 2003 as a response to the needs at that time. The President of the Board of Directors, Ron Edwards, has been involved with the food bank in one way or another for 18 years.
“We’re really proud that a quality organization like Helping Hands is able to come in and assist us in our time of need in terms of management and personnel to make certain that this ministry doesn’t go away; that people will still be fed and cared for here in Hamilton,” says Ron Edwards, President of the Board of Directors at Hamilton Community Food Bank. “Even though my wife and I will be leaving the area in February, my heart is still here, and we will always hope and pray that the needs of this community are well met. I feel confident that we are turning it over to some people that share this vision and goal as well. I am also grateful to know that many of our own volunteers that have been with us for many years are going to be directly involved in making sure it continues.”
Hamilton Community Food Bank’s weekly distribution schedule will remain on Tuesdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Helping Hands is more than a food bank and hopes to bring additional services to the community of Hamilton. Navigators will be present during distribution to provide information and assistance for services other than food.
“Helping Hands is honored to have Pastor Ron and volunteers of the Hamilton Community Food Bank contact us to ask for our support. We are grateful for Pastor Ron’s service, and we hope to take his legacy and continue it. We are thankful that the volunteers are choosing to stay with us because we know we couldn’t do it without them,” says Rebecca Skrinde, Executive Director at Helping Hands. “Thank you for the support and we look forward to the challenge.”
The Hamilton First Baptist Church is committed to the community and continues to be a wonderful resource to those in need of services in Hamilton.
Helping Hands invites the community to be a part of the transition. If you have any questions, please contact Helping Hands at: (360) 856-2211 or development@helpinghandsfoodbank.org.
