HELPING HANDS MINISTRY
Mission
The mission of the Helping Hands Ministry is to assist those that have
an "emergency" needs situation which cannot be responded to by private or county social/health agencies. It
is neither to be used to sustain a lifestyle of continued need, nor to support a lifestyle that anticipates repeated and periodic
Helping Hands assistance.
Guidelines Used in Disbursing Funds
Before providing financial help, various steps are taken to try and determine the legitimacy
of the request or to try and direct the individual to an agency that is better equipped to respond to the specific need.
For example:
Requests for help in paying rent or utility bills are always checked out by talking with the accounting office associated
with the utility company or the landlord.
Attempts are made to verify employment if this is an issue. (Perhaps the need is based upon a statement that the individual
is working but will not be paid until "next week".)
Other churches are
contacted to solicit help or to verify that they have already agreed to help.
County agencies are contacted to determine whether or not they can help.
On rare occasions the OC Police Dept. is contacted.
Every effort is made to respond positively by giving resource referrals...food pantries, county agencies, etc.
Specific Cases
1. Rent or Utilities
Assistance is usually not given without a referral. With a referral, $100-$200 may be given, with additional calls made
to other churches to fund the rest. Payment is always made to the landlord, never directly to the person seeking help.
Neither rent nor utility payments will be offered unless an eviction notice has been received, or in the case of a utility
bill, a Turn-Off notice has been received. These notices must be provided to AUMC prior to help being offered.
Additionally, a rental agreement, lease agreement, or some other official document identifying to whom the monthly payment
must be made and the address the payment is to be sent, must be provided.
2. Food Cards
At first request, client is given a food pantry list. We make every effort to not provide food cards, but rather have
the food pantries be used exclusively. Remind client of location for free meals provided by local churches.
3.
Clothing
Clothing is only given if request is accompanied by a written referral. If possible, Joyce Baker should be advised prior
to anyone coming in with a referral.
Anyone
needing assistance can fill out a form located on the parking lot door and place them in the mailbox. They will be given
to the person in charge at the first opportunity.
