The Bridge of the Penn-York Valley Churches invites the community to a ribbon cutting and open house for the Helping Hands Furniture Ministry at its new location on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This ministry is now located at the Christian Life Church on 207 Broad Street in Waverly NY. The ribbon cutting will take place at the Loder Street garage door entrance at 11 a.m. Tours of the new space will follow along with refreshments and information about other Bridge ministries being made available.
Helping Hands is one of ten Bridge ministries, designed to bridge the gaps of life in the name of Jesus Christ, and to provide help when and where other agencies are not available. The Bridge is supported by its 24 member Valley churches, individuals, The United Way, Waverly Community Chest, businesses, and community organizations. Services are available to residents in the Waverly, Sayre, and Athens School districts.
With a voucher, qualifying individuals can receive basic furniture such as beds, dressers, kitchen tables and chairs, sofas, chairs, and appliances through Helping Hands. The ministry continues to accept donations of these items as well as dishes, kitchen utensils, pots and pans. Call the Clearinghouse phone, 570-888-8826, if you need furnishings or have donations.
Since 1988, Helping Hands has been offering assistance to individuals and families in need, having helped more than 90 households with furniture and appliances in 2023.
This was made possible by over 215 donations. The ministry is open by appointment generally on Wednesday and Saturday morning and is run totally by volunteers. The move from its former Chemung Street location was completed this summer. Unfortunately, because of the configuration of the space at the Christian Life Church, there is no longer a store open to the general public.
Other Bridge ministries have continued to operate through the Helping Hands transition:
- Clearinghouse serves as the main communication system of The Bridge facilitating communication with clients in need, donors, and volunteers as well as offering referrals.
- Kids at Risk focuses on the needs of area school children in Athens, Sayre, and Waverly.
- The Valley Food Pantry and the Mobile Food Pantry work to ease food insecurity.
- Emergency Assistance through a voucher system offers financial assistance to individuals who need help with housing costs, utilities, or other emergency needs.
- Catastrophic and Interim Assistance addresses needs that require more than one-time voucher in defined circumstances.
- The Clothes Closet offers clothing, shoes, small household items, books, and toys available without a voucher at no cost.
- Eldercare assists with the unmet needs of elders in long-term care and assisted-living facilities as well as those residing at home.
- Faith and Finances provides individuals and families with a biblical, effective way to gain skills to manage money and relationships well.
The Bridge is grateful for the support of our community for Helping Hands and its other ministries which comes through monetary donations, tangible donations including furniture, appliances, housewares, hygiene items, clothing and bedding; and volunteers who contribute their time and energy. Come and celebrate the new location of the Helping Hands ministry with us on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Christian Life Church, 207 Broad Street, Waverly NY. For more information, visitwww.thevalleybridge.org or call 570-888-8826.
