During December, High Plains Helping Hands collected and distributed new Christmas toys for 409 children and food for 275 needy families of the Eastern Plains, impacting more than 1,000 individuals.Prior to Christmas, clients were able to make three stops that included holiday meat or a gift card, a special Christmas food bag and Christmas toys for their children. Volunteers were on hand to gift wrap the toys.Gretchen Pufpaff, Christmas Toy Store coordinator, said local organizations and individuals were generous with their donations.HPHH would like to thank Falcon School District 49 and Peyton School District schools, Curves, Falcon Tang Tsu Do, 1st Bank, Walmart, High Prairie Library, Dollar Tree, the Country Chix Red Hat Chapter, Meridian Ranch Recreation. Woodmen Hills Recreation and the Berry Foundation, along with all the churches (Mountain Springs, Meridian Point, Springs Reformed, Woodmen Valley Chapel and Grace Community) and individuals that donated food and toys. Without their support, Helping Hands could not have assisted so many clients during the holidays.Lisa, one of the mothers who needed toys for her children, said, “This year has been especially hard for our family. I’m a hard worker and have always had a job. But last year I was devastated when my 19-year-old daughter was killed; and I also lost my job. I’m trying to put my life back together.” HPHH not only provides food on a regular basis but also addresses other needs, including spiritual. Pamela Hansen, a grandmother with disabilities who lives 45 minutes east of the pantry, said, “The volunteers at this pantry really care. They love us, and if we want prayer, they pray with us.”For more information about the food pantry or to donate, visit http://hphh.org, email admin@hphh.org or call 495-3123.
