About Caring Hands
Caring Hands is a network of Christian Churches and community partners that mobilizes eastern Polk County for compassionate service toward our neighbors.
​Caring Hands carries out its ministry
according to our core values.
01
Everyone Matters
(Luke 15:3-7)
Jesus models for us relentless love without labels or borders. We desire to give that same kind of love to everyone we encounter.
​
02
Everyone has a part to play.
(1 Corinthians 12:27)
God gives everyone gifts to serve others; we are better when we work together. We desire to mobilize as many community members as possible to serve their neighbors.
03
It’s all about Jesus
(John 6:35)
Jesus is the reason Caring Hands exists. He is the hope for the hurting, the bread of life for the hungry, and our motive in serving. We desire to point people to Jesus in all that we do.
History
In 1995, Caring Hands Outreach Center began as Matthew 25 Ministries, an outreach of Adventure Life Church. We provided boxes of food to local families struggling to feed their families. In the first month, we served 14 families and were astounded by the need in our community.
As the number of families we served increased, other local churches began volunteering their time and resources. In 2003, this coalition of churches formed Caring Hands Outreach Center to serve the entire Southeast Polk community.
Since then, our programs and locations have changed, but our mission has not. Our neighbors require more than just food. Cyclical poverty affects access to the many support services that are available in our community. We respect the whole person and choose to walk beside them as they navigate life's challenges.
Our Team
Church Partners
Altoona Methodist
Rising Sun Church of Christ
Donors
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Green State Credit Union
Cargill
Johnny's Italian Steakhouse
Hy-Vee
Altoona Lion's Club
Between the Edges Lawncare
Bank Iowa
Casey's General Store
Fareway
Kiwanis
Kyle Savage
Prairie Meadows
Testimonials
We love hearing the stories of those who have been positively impacted by our ministry!
Mike Hartwig
I've often been convicted by Isaiah 58. There, the people of God were complaining that God wasn't answering their prayers despite their apparent dedication. The people lived righteously and the worshipped regularly or so they thought. Yet God didn't bless them.
Instead, God responded that they were doing it wrong. What He desired was that His people, "... (S)hare their bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to clothe him." Simply, first feed the hungry, second, clothe them and third give them a place to live. This was the type of worship He desired.
That's why I'm glad Lee Ann and I have been able to support Caring Hands. Their priority is to feed the hungry and I'm sure that it pleases God.
Hannah S
Caring Hands helped me when I needed food to make it through payday.
Sarah B
When I was short on food and money, I went to Caring Hands, and they were such a blessing to me.
