Ginny's Helping Hand

‘It’s all love being recycled’

November 16, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER – A community effort focused on Thanksgiving is currently underway in the city as individuals and organizations, such as local business Get Rightt Fitness, continue donating funds and collecting nonperishable food items for Ginny’s Helping Hand.

Get Righttt Fitness co-owner Jarell Addo said they have raised over $100 so far towards the $500 donation goal to benefit the nonprofit organization. They have a box already filled to the brim with nonperishable food items and will be adding another box to keep the collection going.

Ginny's Helping Hands Executive Director Brandon Robbins said they are grateful for all the support they receive from community members and local businesses when it comes to the nonprofit organization's Thanksgiving efforts. Pictured here are a group of volunteers who helped with the Thanksgiving baskets distribution last year. (COURTESY GINNY'S HELPING HANDS) — Ginny’s Helping Hands Executive Director Brandon Robbins said they are grateful for all the support they receive from community members and local businesses when it comes to the nonprofit organization’s Thanksgiving efforts. Pictured here are a group of volunteers who helped with the Thanksgiving baskets distribution last year. (COURTESY GINNY’S HELPING HANDS)

Addo said that “a great handful of our members have been those that have donated thus far” and said that people are welcome to come by the gym located at 511 Lancaster St. in Leominster that he runs along with his two brothers to drop off food or monetary donations.

“We believe it’s very important to us as a small business to donate and give back because we as small businesses understand the value of help and support from others,” he said. “We all started at day one and know how crucial the help we received from others was to get us to where we are today. With that in mind, we believe it’s imperative to return the favor if we’re capable of doing so. It’s all love that’s being recycled.”

Ginny’s Executive Director Brandon Robbins said they picked up a “massive food drive” collection from Fall Brook Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon and that they are in the process of preparing for their annual Holiday Food Basket Distribution, which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 52 Mechanic St. food pantry.

“We have over 400 families signed up for a basket that will contain all of the fixings for a delicious holiday meal,” he said. “This has been supported by numerous organizations, businesses, and private donors.”

Robbins went on to say that they are “profoundly grateful for the overwhelming support from our local business community this holiday season.”

“Generous contributions, such as the one from Get Righttt, are instrumental in empowering Team Ginny’s to extend a warm holiday meal to hundreds of families in need throughout North Central Massachusetts. Every donation made this holiday season is a catalyst for positive change, assuring donors that their kindness is creating a ripple effect—ensuring that as one family gathers around a festive table, another, thanks to their impact, is experiencing the joy of a shared holiday meal. Together, we weave a tapestry of compassion, making the season brighter for all.”

Ginny’s Holiday Food Basket program underway

October 22, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — With the holiday season soon approaching, the team at Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc. believes this is the perfect time of year to spread the spirit of giving and gratitude.

Ginny’s helps families go from surviving to thriving by providing food, clothing, and emergency shelter with a side of self-respect and self-esteem through their unique resource model.

“Our team here at Ginny’s is excited to announce that it’s cherished annual tradition of the Holiday Food Basket program is officially underway,” said Brandon Robbins, Executive Director of Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc. “Every year, we pour our hearts into preparing food baskets brimming with all the essentials for a delightful holiday meal, ensuring that Thanksgiving and Christmas are truly special for all.”

This year, the team at Ginny’s is preparing to serve over 500 participating families throughout North Central Massachusetts, and firmly believes that this program embodies the ‘Hand Up’ that Ginny’s has always aspired to provide, “creating a brighter and more inclusive holiday season for all,” said Robbins.

To be part of this heart-warming tradition, the community is invited to visit Ginny’s Helping Hand & Food Pantry, located at 52 Mechanic St., and sign up for this program, or if interested in donation, visit their website at ginnyshelpinghand.org.

“As a team, we here at Ginny’s feel profound joy from the knowledge that as we gather with our own families for our holiday feast, hundreds of other families will also experience the same warmth and togetherness,” Robbins said.

For more information on how you can help, visit ginnyshelpinghand.org or call 978-537-1387.

Paper Store donates $6K to Ginny’s Helping Hand

September 28, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc. partnered with The Paper Store for a fundraiser to support the organization in providing a hand up to those in the community who need it most.

On Sept. 12, Paper Store representatives visited Ginny’s Mechanic Street location to present a check for $6,000, which was a result of a fundraiser earlier in July. The fundraiser offered the opportunity to purchase VIP early access tickets to The Paper Store’s Warehouse Sale, with 100% of the early access tickets donated to Ginny’s Helping Hand.

The sold-out event welcomed more than 250 people and raised more than $6,000 for Ginny’s Helping Hand. In addition to the financial donation, the organization also received $375 in donations from shoppers on the day of the event, non-perishable items, and a sizeable donation of hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens donated to help those in need that Ginny’s serves.

(Courtesy of The Paper Store)

Annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive set for Saturday

May 11, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — Postal carriers in the city and beyond are once again asking citizens to help Stamp Out Hunger through the 31st annual National Association of Letter Carriers food drive coming up on May 13.

Robert Duley has been a carrier at the Main Street post office for 35 years and involved in the yearly community outreach effort for many of those years. He shared that an estimated 34 million Americans experience food insecurity every year and that people can make a difference by participating in the food drive by filling up the blue bags they distributed and will collect on Saturday with nonperishable foods including pasta, canned soup, vegetables and beans, chips, peanut butter, cereal, and more.

“The way the economy is right now, many families are struggling to put food on the table and this food drive is important to restock the shelves of the food pantries,” Duley said. “All food collected stays within the local community to help out families in need.”

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is held on the second Saturday of May each year. A pilot drive was held in 10 cities in October 1991, which proved so successful it became a nationwide effort.

Duley estimates that upwards of 12,000 pounds of food was collected last year along the 31 postal routes in the city. Ginny’s Helping Hand staff and volunteers will once again work alongside city postal carriers to collect and distribute the food to its food pantry and other recipients including Our Lady of The Lake Church, St. Leo’s Catholic Church, and more.

Ginny’s Helping Hand appoints Mayra Diaz to manager

May 3, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — Mayra Diaz has been appointed to manager of operations at Ginny’s Helping Hand, a food pantry and thrift shop located on Mechanic Street.

In her new role, Diaz will oversee both the food pantry and thrift shop operations. She will be determining guest eligibility for food services and other resources, volunteer coordination, inventory oversight, donations intake and public outreach.

A resident of Leominster, Diaz began volunteering at Ginny’s Helping Hand over five years ago, serving the clothing department and food pantry. Prior to her role as Manager of Operations, Diaz worked in a variety of roles at the organization, as well as an Assistant Manager at Family Dollar.

“As a mother of four, I understand how important basics, such as food and clothing are, especially for those who are going through a tough time,” Diaz said in a press release. “I am so happy to be in a role where I can make a difference in my own neighborhood.”

Since launching in 1978, Ginny’s Helping Hand has grown from a local food pantry to a charitable organization that supplies groceries to more than 2,500 people every month.

“We are excited to see Mayra grow into this new role as a member of Ginny’s team,” said Brandon Robbins, executive director of Ginny’s Helping Hand. “Food insecurity can happen to anyone at any time, which is why we are here to provide healthy food and compassionate support through a ‘Hand Up’ to all of our guests.”

Fidelity Bank donates two new freezers, food to Ginny’s Helping Hands

March 18, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — Members of Fidelity Bank recently joined Mayor Dean Mazzarella and others at Ginny’s Helping Hand to celebrate the donation of food and two new freezers to the local food bank.

Fidelity Bank Chairman and CEO Ed Manzi Jr. joined Mazzarella, Ginny’s Executive Director Brandon Robbins and others on Thursday, March 16, to commemorate the donation, which Manzi said was made possible through the bank’s LifeDesign Community Dividend, a program designed to distribute financial support to local community organizations, events and causes.

The bank learned that the pantry was in “urgent need” of such a donation back in February and decided to act, according to a press release shared after the event.

Robbins shared his excitement for the donation as he stressed the impact it could have on the community and commended those at Ginny’s for their hard work and dedication to those in need.

“Our staff and volunteers are committed to providing healthy food to every guest who comes through the door,” he said. “With this donation, our guests will have access to food options that encourage a healthier lifestyle while also proving that when people come together, they can make a significant impact in their communities.”

Founded by Ginny White in 1978, the food pantry has long served thousands of families throughout Leominster and other nearby communities with fresh, frozen and shelf-stable groceries. The organization has also doubled as a thrift store, providing those in need with affordable clothing.

In addition to the freezers, Fidelity Bank brought frozen meats, fruits and vegetables to stock said freezers as well. Manzi said he and others from the bank were “honored” to have taken part in the donation and “improve the quality of life of our clients, communities and colleagues.”

“When we learned of this need at Ginny’s, we wanted to help them obtain the freezers as quickly as possible to serve their guests,” he said. “Today, we are happy to see the freezers have arrived and we are honored to be the first to fully stock the freezers with food for our community.”

Both organizations plan to continue their engagement through volunteering programs with Fidelity Bank colleagues, according to the press release.

For more information on Ginny’s Helping Hand visit ginnyshelpinghand.org.

Ginny's Helping Hand

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