Helping Hands Dripping Springs assists neighbors in times of need

DRIPPING SPRINGS  — An organization that has been providing services to the Dripping Springs community, and neighboring areas, for nearly 40 years is continuously seeking donations to keep the food on the table for families.

First created during the holiday season of 1986, Dripping Springs Helping Hands is a 100% volunteer organization focused on one mission: to provide the community of Dripping Springs with a framework of compassionate care designed to assist neighbors in time of need,  regardless of their age, sex, disability, race, color, creed or national origin.

“It initially started just solely as the food pantry. Our primary goal is to help those who are suffering from food insecurity in our community [and] to be able to have a place to come and help supplement what is needed in their households,” said Lindy Orr, president of the Dripping Springs Helping Hands board.

The need has exponentially grown, Orr explained, since the beginning of last year, the number of clients has nearly doubled. Helping Hands previously served approximately 80-85 families per week, but now it’s averaging to about 150 families per week.

“I think it's attributed to just things are more expensive, food has kind of gone through the roof. I think a lot of families that were kind of on the fence with getting by, because things have gotten so expensive, [now] need that extra assistance. We are grateful that we are able to help them out,” Orr said. “It’s not cheap to live in Dripping [Springs], as well as the Austin area. In order to come to the pantry, you don’t necessarily have to live in Dripping; you can live anywhere and go to any type of agency. There’s many people, as far as some of our new clients, that live in Wimberley or San Marcos [and] there are people that have come as far as Leander and Bee Cave. My guesstimate is that they may be coming to work in Dripping, and unfortunately, that maybe they can’t afford to live in Dripping. Since our food pantry is here, they have access to it.”

Orr added that the way that people have been informed about Helping Hands has been primarily through word-of-mouth, as many of the newcomers have been coming in with established clients.

“Sometimes they have to, unfortunately, humble themselves to come through the door to ask for assistance,” she said. “It's a lot easier if they know somebody that is already here and can make sure they know that it's a safe place … We're here to help and it never fails, those new clients leave here with a big smile on their face. That's what it's all about.”

Helping Hands recognizes that struggling to put food on the table may also signal a larger call for help in other areas. Orr explained that there is a social services volunteer team that can help clients with rent, electricity, car repairs, etc.

Additionally, as a component of the mission, the organization strives to find new strategies to provide a framework of compassionate care for the clients. Helping Hands has the following programs to help clients meet current challenges:

• Summer Supplement Bags: During the summer months when children are not in school, Helping Hands extends weekly supplement bags to families with students.

• School Supply Drive: Each August, Helping Hands distributes school supplies to clients with students living within the Dripping Springs ISD boundaries.

• Project Elf: Businesses, public and private schools, community groups, churches and individuals come together to provide presents for clients to help make their holidays more magical. This is available for children who reside in the DSISD boundaries.

One of the main challenges that Helping Hands has faced is keeping its presence known in the community: “During the holidays, it's the time of giving. And so obviously, we're very much blessed during the holiday time, because that's just what people do,” Orr said. “Then, between February and October, things slow way down as far as food donations, as well as financial donations.”

“We have many businesses in the Dripping [Springs] area that have a Helping Hands bin. So, if you frequent one of those businesses, if you just continue to be cognizant of if you're going to go there, grab a couple of cans that you have that you're not using [and] to always keep us in mind when it comes to donating financially,” she continued. “That’s what keeps us going. That's what keeps the doors open and this community is such an absolutely wonderful giving community. They should be very proud of what they have enabled us to do and to be able to help others in our community and the surrounding area to keep food on the table for their family.”

One of the major fundraisers that Helping Hands puts on is the Empty Bowls Project on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, where chefs, artists and musicians are brought together to host an event with food, fellowship and fun in support of the organization. The project has evolved to account for more than 60% of Helping Hands’ budget.

To learn more about Dripping Springs Helping Hands, visit www.helpinghands-drippingsprings.org. Those who are seeking assistance, whether it be financially or at the food pantry, can visit www.helpinghands-drippingsprings.org/get-help.