PHOTO PROVIDED Pathway to Christ Church in McElhattan recently held a collection drive to provide items for Helping Hands at the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lock Haven. Shown, from left, are church congregation members, Robin Condo and Terry Condo, Michelle Miller and Kelly Olmstead with Helping Hands and Pastor Laura Gilbert.

MCELHATTAN — Congregation members of the Pathway to Christ Church in McElhattan collected personnel care items, cleaning products, bathroom paper goods, laundry supplies and more to be delivered to the Helping Hands at the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lock Haven. This is just one of the many community outreach programs the Pathway church members enjoy participating in.

Pathway to Christ Church attendees also serve several community residents in need of a home cooked meal once a month, volunteer at the local food bank and participate in collecting pill bottles, to name just a few of their Outreach programs.

Pathway members, through their love of God, strive to “give unto others in need” not only in prayer, but in words of comfort and helpful deeds. When the request for the many personal care items and cleaning products that Helping Hands needs came to the attention of the members of Pathway to Christ, the challenge to fulfill that plea began and was ultimately met.

On Sunday, July 13, Kelly Olmstead and Michelle Miller, of Helping Hands, met with Pastor Laura Gilbert to receive the assortment of the many products that the congregation collected that would be delivered by congregation members, Terry and Robin Condo.

Helping Hands assists low-income families and senior citizens and is a non-profit organization, mostly serving the Clinton County area.

Helping Hands gives seniors and low-income families items — like cleaning and laundry products, paper products and personal care items — that they aren’t allowed to purchase with their government assistance. Sometimes these household items can be expensive and not easily afforded on tight budgets that these individuals or families live on.

“Each family is provided with four rolls of toilet paper, a roll of paper towels and five trash bags,” said Miller.

These supplies, along with a variety of other products like laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, shampoo, tooth paste, soap and disposal diapers, are just some of the items that families can receive each month, free of charge, when they seek the assistance of the Helping Hands program.

Helping Hands also offers social time for individuals that come through their doors, as well as cookies and coffee for the recipients to enjoy while they wait their turn to choose the items that are available.

“Helping Hands started about 20 years ago as ‘The Giving Closet,’ and presently Helping Hands serves 35 to 40 area families monthly, each month bringing in a new face,” explained Olmstead.

Doors are open on the third Wednesday of each month at 104 W. Church St., Lock Haven, at the United Evangelical Lutheran Church. The church is located directly behind Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Helping Hands is looking for groups or organizations to conduct collections such as Pathway to Christ Church has done, as the need is great for products to be available to provide to those who come each month.

United Evangelical Lutheran Church holds dinners, sandwich sales and collection drives to aid the Helping Hands mission, but also relies on help from the community.

Many local organizations such as the Lock Haven Moose, the Sons of Italy, the 40 & 8 Club and others have been very generous in providing monetary donations as well.

If you, your church or organization are interested in donating or setting up a collection drive for Helping Hands, you can contact Kelly Olmstead at 272-209-5912 or Michelle Miller at 570-660-1161.

“All donations are appreciated,” said Olmstead.