HANDS - Helping Americans Needing Disaster Support, Distribution Operations

Database contact at the site: Lashawn. Call the main number.

12/5: This facility is changing locations and mission. In January,
it will be moving to a new location TBD. The warehouse has virtually
nothing in it. The org is available to distribute donations, if
donors want to send them stuff to distribute.

7/18: Many of the "available" items are not necessarily available
at the moment. Call for details and register your organization to \
get on the list so that when donors call, HANDS can tell them what
it would take to satisfy the region!

7/18: CAT VOLUNTEERS TAKE NOTE: this is a new approach, developed
today. We're going to mark items "available" if that site "often
gets that kind of thing", even if the items aren't currently available.
This way, people can see what sites "usually get that kind of stuff".
And they can call that site and register. In that way, those sites
that specialize in a particular item can estimate the need for that
region.

Can send trucks to New Orleans. Send to Holy Cross, and City Team
Impact ministries.

Can deal with computers.

Mail all letters or donations to:

HANDS
P.O. Box 16449
Jackson, MS 39236

We have a 1200sq ft warehouse in addition to our front office space.

More about Hands:

Mobile Clothing Distribution
HANDS is sending mobile clothing units to take donated clothing down
to the coast. The clothing is all brand new, and of very high quality,
and is available to hurricane victims free of charge. The clothing
comes from stores such as The Rogue, The Limited, Abercrombie and
Fitch, Victoria's Secret, LUCKY, Ann Taylor Loft, and many others.
HANDS' goal is to provide a place for people to come and "shop" with
dignity. We are working through schools first, to deliver two to
three complete outfits to each child, teacher and faculty member,
including underclothes, shoes, socks, shirts, pants, and jackets.
We are also working through local businesses to meet the wardrobe
needs of their employees and their families. We will continue to
reach out to each community until all the needs are met.

Family Connection Program
Through the Family Connection Program, HANDS is uniting affected
families with sponsor groups that can assist in supporting their
physical and emotional needs. The goal of the Family Connection
Program is to match these families with sponsor groups for a
period of one year. During this year, the sponsor group?s
responsibilities will be twofold. First, the group will provide
support to assist the family with food, clothing, and other
household needs, including helping refurnish damaged homes.
Second, the groups will need to address the family?s emotional
needs. This aspect will require regular phone conversations with
the family, remembering holidays and birthdays, and possibly
organizing trips to personally meet with the family in person.
Until partnered with a sponsor, HANDS is assisting the applicant
families with their clothing needs. If you are interested in
adopting a family or would like to know more about becoming a
sponsor, please contact Hands immediately.

Thanksgiving on the Coast
HANDS provided a sumptuous Thanksgiving meal for approximately 500
individuals and families along the Gulf Coast. The ?event? was held
at St. Clair Catholic School, in Waveland, MS on Thanksgiving Day,
November 24, 2005. The event was hosted by Congressman Chip Pickering
and his extended family, numerous HANDS volunteers, and Joe
Scarborough, of MSNBC?s Scarborough Country. All the food was
prepared under the direction of Leisha Pickering, and included the
traditional Thanksgiving menu, as well as specialty foods, appetizers,
and desserts. There were organized children?s games, and televisions
set up to watch the holiday bowl games. HANDS also gave away door
prizes and other goods to many needy families. The goal of this event
was to bring the community together for a time of fun and fellowship;
to help restore normalcy, dignity, and hope.

Old info from the other record that was combined with this one.
Christ United Methodist Church is the original organization.
Hands Distribution was started as a separate organization at the
same site, separate because of insurance reasons.