Local food pantry sees food shortage during holiday months - WTHITV.com

VINCENNES, Ind. (WTHI) – During the holidays, you’ll often see people giving back to others in need. Helping His Hands in Vincennes is looking for your help to make sure no one goes hungry this holiday season.

At 1107 Main Street, you’ll find open doors and open hearts.

“We’re trying to give dignity to these families,” said Helping His Hands Executive Director, Scott Shipman.

That’s where you’ll find Shipman stocking up the food pantry at Helping His Hands.

“Food is something we just take for granted. We just think everyone has it but they don’t,” said Shipman.

He and other volunteers feed over 400 families a month.

“I think that we have this thinking that people that come to food pantries are trying to cheat the system or they don’t want to work, but that’s not what we see,” said Shipman.

They see widows, children and parents working full-time jobs, all trying to make ends meet.

With Christmas around the corner, Scott says many families have to choose between buying gifts or buying food.

“How are they going to do that? How are they going to do all that? Well we’ll help out families in need in those times,” said Shipman.

The food pantry experiences a significant need for donations during the holidays. Canned foods are at the top of that list.

“Everything that comes in here stays within Knox County and helps feed these families,” said Shipman.

Without donations, the shelves sit empty and 1,400 people go hungry according to Helping His Hands.

“When families come in here they may feel about this small but when they leave they’ll feel like this,” said Shipman.

This local non-profit is asking the community to ensure hunger is not a part of this holiday season.

“It’s all about empowering and loving people. That’s what it is.”

If you would like to donate food, you can drop it off at Helping His Hands between 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The organization is located at 1107 Main Street Vincennes, IN 47591.

If you would like to donate money, you can mail a check or cash to the organization. You can also text “HHH” to “41444” and specify the amount of cash you’re looking to donate.

If you would like to volunteer at the food pantry, you can call Helping His Hands at (812) 494-2888.

All information can be found online at http://ift.tt/2fCXsUh.