Providing school supplies and nutritious meals

Vicki L. George

Bandera County Helping Hand is collecting school supplies for our clients' children. Anyone who wishes to donate some of these supplies can visit the website of the Bandera Independent School District at www.banderaisd.net or call the schools to find out what is needed.

The supplies can be brought to Helping Hand and we will distribute them before school starts.

Our need for meat is still urgent. We will gratefully accept it any form, such as fresh, frozen or canned. When we provide a box of groceries for our hungry neighbors we strive to offer them balanced meals. That includes protein in the form of some kind of meat. Right now we are unable to do that.

We also need new and unopened shampoos, deodorants and conditioners.

• A couple came in needing some help. He currently has no job and she is disabled. With their food stamps they didn't need groceries but they needed some assistance paying their electric bill. We kept their power on.

• Another couple arrived for some assistance. They both worked but he recently lost his job. There are a couple of kids and they got behind on the electric bill. We helped them with that bill.

• A young couple came in for some help. Although they both work they have had to miss some work lately because their toddler has cancer and isn't expected to live. They get food stamps so we helped by providing diapers, children's toiletries, and by keeping their electricity on.

• One of our customers had a bite on her leg that looked like it might infect. We gave her some antibiotic ointment to prevent that.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to Helping Hand or shop at our Thrift Store, come to 1116 12th Street in Bandera or mail to PO Box 1092, Bandera, TX 78003.

For more information call Helping Hand at 830-796-8300 or visit our website at

www.banderacountyhelpinghand.com

and join our email list to receive updates and special announcements.

Visit us on our new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BanderaCountyHelpingHand.