Helping Hands Food Pantry | Feeding Sterling with Dignity & Hope

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum sits down with Kassey Wells from the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Sterling. Learn how Helping Hands provides food, support, and dignity to families in need, including unique touches like birthday kits and a self-shop model that gives guests a grocery shopping experience rather than a charity handout.

📈 Since reopening in March 2025, the pantry has seen demand rise sharply, serving hundreds of local families each month. Kassey also shares challenges the pantry faces, including keeping a steady supply of meat and essential paper products, and ways the community can help.

💡 Upcoming Fundraiser:
Ribs for Rations Dinner
🗓 Saturday, October 11
⏰ 3:00–7:00 PM
📍 First Church of the Nazarene, Sterling
Enjoy ribs, mac and cheese, green beans, and homemade desserts. All proceeds go directly to Helping Hands to purchase food for the pantry.

✨ Ways to Support Helping Hands:

• Drop off food, meat, or paper goods at the pantry: 1208 East 4th Street, Sterling (Door #6)

• Monetary donations

• Follow the pantry on Facebook to stay updated on future events and needs

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🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online

🎤 Timestamps & Highlights:

00:25 – Introducing Cassie Wells & Helping Hands Food Pantry

00:46 – Mission: Serving with dignity & sharing God’s love

01:13 – Growth in community need: doubling guests in months

01:32 – How the pantry works: self-shop model

02:34 – Reducing waste & donating leftovers

03:13 – Providing dignity through choice & snacks for kids

03:59 – Challenges: meat supply & paper products

05:08 – How the community can support Helping Hands

05:27 – Location & pantry details

05:48 – Upcoming rib dinner fundraiser

06:47 – Other ways to donate & support

07:20 – Understanding food insecurity

08:04 – Fun question: Pantry items on a deserted island

08:40 – Urgent needs

09:23 – New projects

10:10 – Future fundraisers

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