Meal Train for
Helping Hands Men Shelter Evening Meal
Gift Cards
Updates
2023 MEALTRAIN IS UP AND RUNNING!!!!!
Posted Dec 6, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
FEEL FREE TO BOOK YOUR DATES.....PLEASE reach out to me if you need help..... HAPPY BOOKING!!!!!:}
ShareMEALTRAIN 2023 CALENDAR!!!!
Posted Dec 6, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
HELLO EVERYONE!!!! Happy Holidays To ALL of the providers, the 2023 MEALTRAIN CALANDER will be up and running by the end of today.....:} I would first like to take a minute to EXPRESS how SOOOO Very Appreciative and Thankful the Helping Hands Family are for each one of you all...Yo Guys Rock!!!! Secondly I wanted to explain something regarding the calendar. If you DO NOT see a day on the calendar for availability, it is because I have BLOCKED that day out and it's NOT availability. Why is that? It's because, some of our long, long time provider's have served a meal on those days for quit some time on those certain days. I do apologize for any inconvenience in advance. If you have any concerns/questions please feel free to contact me by text/email or call. Again Thank You for ALL you do! Cell-217-572-6444 work-217 522-0048 ext 105 yolanda@helpinghandsofspringfield.org Blessings Yolanda
ShareHELPING HANDS IS (SHELTER IN PLACE) COVID PRECAUTIONS.
Posted Sep 12, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
TO ALL Meal Providers Due to some of the clients testing positive for Covid, Helping Hands will be going back to shelter in place. So with that said we're going back to dropping off meals only for the next two weeks and then it'll be revisited. If you have any question or concerns please feel free to reach out to me. email: yolanda@helpinghandsofspringfield.org / cell: 217-572-6444 or 217-522-0048 ext 105/ my direct: 461-4374 Thank you all for all you do for us here at the HH!! Blessings Yolanda
ShareUPDATE to Previous Post
Posted Jul 18, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Mary Ann/Golden Girls and Scott Kaiser of Chatham Presbyterian Church for providing a meal regarding the 25th/26th. And again a HUGE THANKS to Everyone of you for the Blessing you provide for us here at Helping Hands. We Appreciate you all....:} Thank You, God Bless Yolanda
ShareUPDATE!!!!!!!!!! (2) OPEN DATES for a Meal 25th/26th of this month
Posted Jul 18, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
The 25th has been booked! The 26th is still AVAILABLE...... Thank You! Blessing Yolanda
Share(2) OPEN DATES for a Meal 25th/26th of this month
Posted Jul 18, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
Is there anyone willing to HELP me put together a meal or want to prepare a meal for one of these days the 7/25/22 and 7/26/2022 are available on the Meal Train. If you can help, PLEASE reach out to me, call, text or email me ASAP. You can also go on the Meal Train and book that day. Thank You.... And again I really Appreciate you ALL and ALL that you do for the HH. Blessings Yolanda
ShareNEED HELP with tomorrow's meal Please!
Posted Jun 28, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
Is there anyone willing to HELP me put together a meal for tomorrow night 6/29/22, If you can help, PLEASE call me, text me or email me ASAP. Thank You.... I Appreciate you ALL. Blessings Yolanda
ShareNEEDING HELP with the meals for Monday 5-23-22 and Monday 5-30-22
Posted May 20, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
This is Sooooooo SHORT NOTICE you guys and I do Apologize. Is there anyone willing to HELP me put together a meal for these 2 days 5/23/22 and 5/30/22. If you can help, PLEASE call me, text me or email me Thank You.... I Appreciate you ALL. Blessings Yolanda
ShareEMERGENCY Changes!!!!!
Posted May 20, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
Happy Friday Everyone! Hope you day is going well! I wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU< THANK YOU< THANK YOU for ALL you guys do for us at Helping Hands. On behalf of Myself and the Helping Hands Agency WE Appreciate You ALL! Secondly I'm Sorry and WILL Never want to Offend Anyone. But this issues has been an ongoing problem and I have done ALL that I could do by reaching out with an phone call/email to these individual providers SEVERAL times and have NOT got a response. So Unfortunately I must take the next step. I am in the process of making some changes regarding a few of the providers. The reason why for these unfortunate issue, is because people will signed up for multiple days on the mealtrain to serve a meal and WILL NOT SHOW UP or CALL either myself or to the shelter. I'm So Sorry but this is Totally UNACCEPTABLE and it leave us in a bind and the the guys are left without a meal. I Totally know thing do happen BUT Communication is the answer. Again I am SoSoSo Sorry to have to do this, but I am also held accountable for the meals/Mealtrain for the agency. So with all of that said there will be some available days to those individuals that are willing and want to sign up to prepare a meal, help with a meal, donating a gift card for a meal or simply would like to have a paid meal be delivered. FYI if you decide to order a meal and you're not able to pick it up or delivery may not be provided, arrangements with myself to pickup can be arranged with Notice. I also would like to remind everyone that all providers have the option to stay and serve the meal that you provide. Helping Hands Staff Only ask for now, that no more than five/six people come in to serve and to wear your mask while in the Helping Hands building. (Mask can be provided). As the Covid restrictions decrease then, therefore more people will be able to serve. As always thank you for providing a meal and understanding. Call or email me with any question/concerns. I will leave my contact information again. cell:217-572-6444 (Leave a message if no answer I promise to get back with you ASAP) Direct office line:217-461-4374 email: yolanda@helpinghandsofspringfield.org BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU Yolanda
ShareFor Everyone's Safety
Posted Mar 14, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
Hello Everyone! Hope Everyone's Monday is going well! I wanted to take a minute and just remind everyone that you all have the option to stay and serve the meal you provide. Helping Hands Staff Only ask for now, that no more than four/five people come in to serve and to wear your mask while in the Helping Hands building. (Mask can be provided). As the Covid restrictions decrease then, therefore more people will be able to serve. As always thank you for providing a meal and understanding. Call or email me with any question/concerns. Blessing to All Yolanda
ShareHELLO Everyone! Excited to be back! Welcome to All the New Provider's
Posted Feb 25, 2022 by Yolanda Mckinney of
First of all I would like to introduce myself, my name is Yolanda Mckinney to all of the New Onboard Providers that have signed up on the Meal Train, to provide a meal for the guys here at Helping Hands. I have been a part of Helping Hands for over 11+ yrs now and as Tom mentioned in a previous email, I have run the meal train in the past which was enjoyable connecting and meeting all of you, there were also some challenging times but we managed to get through it. I look forward in meeting and connecting with some of the New Providers. Secondly, I would like to say that we at Helping Hands, are SO Grateful and Appreciate ALL of you for taking the time out to provide a meal. Another thing I wanted to mention is that lately due to Covid and other sickness going around, we had to go back to being shelter-in-place for Everyone's safety and the meals had to be dropped off at the double doors. But now with the Covid numbers going down a bit, Helping Hands shelter-in-place has been lifted and you all are Welcomed to come back in and serve. But with that being said We have to ask EVERYONE who enters into the shelter to wear a mask PLEASE. A mask can be provided to you at the shelter desk if you don't have one. (Sorry for Any inconvenience, but we want to help keep everyone safe). PS. Another thing is PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Keep in mind that, we are feeding 50 guys here at Helping Hands and if there are any, any issues what so every where you CANNOT provide a meal or provide food for 50 guys. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T hesitate to reach out to me(that's what I'm here for). I am leaving all my information down below. I personally Completely understand things happen and we ALL can be busy with everyday life.... Yolanda: Direct line: 217- 461-4374 Cell 217-572-6444 Email: yolanda@helpinghandsofspringfield.org Thank You for being a Blessing and for Blessing us here at Helping Hands. Yolanda
SharePassing the baton
Posted Feb 14, 2022 by Tom Girard
This week the Meal Train will be passed along to Yolanda McKinney as the Organizer.It's been an honor,privilege and fun being the organizer over the past few years.Yolanda has done this before and will do a great job.
ShareA reminder
Posted Feb 13, 2022 by Tom Girard
In the past few weeks we've had several issues with people who signed up to provide a meal and did not show up or contact us to let us know of a problem.When this happens there isn't enough time to prepare a alternative.When a person or group commits to provide a meal please do so and remember you're feeding 50 men. Thank you!
ShareA friendly reminder
Posted Jan 2, 2022 by Tom Girard
Please be reminded that when signing up to provide a meal you're serving 50 men. Thank you and Happy New Year!!
ShareServing meals
Posted Dec 27, 2021 by Tom Girard
Due to the rising Covid numbers we ask that through the month of January the meals provided would be dropped off. Thank you all for your loyal service!
ShareMealtrain 2022
Posted Nov 26, 2021 by Tom Girard
I know it's hard to believe a new year is upon us and the Mealtrain for 2022 is open! Thank you to all our providers!!
ShareServing meals.
Posted Oct 5, 2021 by Tom Girard
All our providers are welcome to serve their meals again.We ask that no more than five people come in and wear their masks while in the building.Thank you for understanding and your loyal service!
ShareCovid precautions.
Posted Sep 20, 2021 by Tom Girard
Due to the rising Covid cases we're going back to dropping off meals only for the next two weeks and then it'll be revisited. Thank you all for your service!!
ShareThank you!!
Posted Dec 2, 2020 by Tom Girard
I'd like to thank all of our groups and individuals who provide meals and other donations in this most trying time.As mentioned our addition is in use and our numbers are gradually climbing.Please feel free to call to many with any questions or concerns.My number is 217-299-4618. I hope everyone has Happy and safe Holiday Season!!
ShareRenovation and Expansion
Posted Sep 15, 2020 by Tom Girard
Thank you for all you do to provide food, support, and other resources that makes the mission of Helping Hands possible! This letter is to share some exciting news about how we are growing to provide more services this winter. Starting this week, our facility at 1023 E. Washington will undergo some renovations to expand our shelter, and provide additional space for people to be here 24 hours a day. The renovations will be complete by November 1, 2020. The newly renovated space will also include the addition of another multi-purpose area that will increase the ability for physical distancing and isolation area if necessary because of COVID-19 or the flu. This winter we are planning for a variety of scenarios. We hope Sangamon County does not have to go back to previous COVID-19 recovery phases, but if we do we will be prepared. Our goal is to provide shelter and housing opportunities for as many people as we possibly can, and at the same time keep our clients, staff, and community safe. The renovations will allow Helping Hands to: • Increase shelter capacity by 17 beds (to a total capacity of 71 clients in our shelter) • Go “low barrier” and create separate shelter areas based on client needs • Offer safe 24-hour “shelter in place” access for clients with more area for physical distancing • Create an isolation area for COVID-19 when needed • Possibly accept a father with kids who needs temporary emergency shelter Again, thank you for being a part of the Helping Hands team. We are excited to see these changes and we’re all – clients and staff – in on the planning for how we’re going to get through the winter together. We are determined to move forward on our goal to make homelessness in Sangamon County rare, brief, and non-recurring.
ShareRecovery Phase 2
Posted Jul 6, 2020 by Tom Girard
Today we have started the next phase of our recovery.This means that meal providers can enter the building to serve a meal but the number of participants is limited to 5.All must wear a mask and are asked to refrain from serving if they are of a high risk group or have high risk social interactions. Thank you all for your loyal dedication in these most trying of times. Tom
ShareFriendly reminder.
Posted Mar 18, 2020 by Tom Girard
We're asking our meal providers to continue to bring the meals to the double doors and our men will come out to bring the meal in. If you have any questions or issues my # is 217-299-4618. Thank you for all your support. Tom
ShareProviders please read
Posted Mar 15, 2020 by Tom Girard
Message to meal providers Inbox x Erica Smith Sat, Mar 14, 10:24 PM (7 hours ago) to me, Ronetta Please send the message below out to all meal providers immediately -- by tomorrow noon at the latest: To protect our clients, staff, volunteers, and community, Helping Hands is limiting access to our facility to shelter clients and staff onlyuntil April 1. Because we will be providing three meals a day during this time, meal providers are asked to keep their dates if possible but drop the food off. If you have a date to serve a meal at Helping Hands from now until April 1, please respond to this email to let us know if you will be able to drop off that meal. We understand if you are not able to bring a meal at this time. Please let us know ASAP so we can make other arrangements. Thank you! Helping Hands of Springfield -- Erica Smith, MPH Executive Director Helping Hands of Springfield 1023 E. Washington Street Springfield, IL 62703 217-522-0048 ext. 6 www.helpinghandsofspringfield.org
ShareHelping Hands Update
Posted Mar 13, 2020 by Tom Girard
Helping Hands has implemented Coronavirus precautions because we are a public place and people who experience homelessness are considered a “high-risk” group. While we do not need to panic, we must protect each other. We are requiring all clients who have symptoms of respiratory illness to wear a mask. Please do not be alarmed if you see clients wearing a mask. This is just a precaution. Our meal providers are still welcome to come in and serve food, but as we are a public place we recommend that if you have any concerns about group exposure that you drop the food off. Also, to protect our clients, if any member of a meal provider group has any symptoms of cold or flu we ask that they stay home. This applies to all volunteers too, particularly if they are considered a member of a vulnerable group (over 60, chronic health conditions, etc.). If you cannot provide a meal for any reason, please call Tom Girard as soon as possible. We will arrange for an alternate meal. If there is a local outbreak of Coronavirus we will tighten these guidelines and update you immediately. For right now, we are in precautionary mode to protect the safety of our clients, our staff, and our community. Thank you! Helping Hands of Springfield
ShareFeb.16 meal.
Posted Feb 15, 2020 by Tom Girard
We had a last minute cancellation on Sunday evenings meal. I am reaching out to our regular providers for help before going to plan C.
ShareNewly opened dates
Posted Feb 12, 2020 by Tom Girard
We had two of our long time providers drop off and the second Sundays along with the second Thursdays from March through the end of the year have opened up.They're posted on the Mealtrain Calendar.Thank you very much!!
ShareDates available
Posted Jan 2, 2020 by Tom Girard
A beloved &long time meal provider has given up her monthly spot due to her husband recovering from a medical procedure.I'm reaching out to our loyal,regular providers first & the dates are the second Thursdays of each month starting February 13,2020.Thank you for dedication to our agency.
ShareBig News about Helping Hands
Posted Jul 19, 2019 by Yolanda Mckinney of
I think this email looks as though it's coming from Yolanda, but Erica (the director of Helping Hands) is writing it. After more than a year of planning, Helping Hands is proposing an re-imagination of shelter services that will help address homelessness in Springfield and Sangamon County and increase access to mental health, physical health, and community health services for everyone in our community. We are proposing to strategically partner with healthcare providers and other agencies to create a Center for Health & Housing to be located at 521 S. 11th Street. I am emailing you because you are a meal provider, and as such, you're an integral partner to our mission. Thank you for all you've done, and we hope you will support this re-imagination of our services to improve access to healthcare and housing for everyone. This Center is more than a "shelter." It strives to bring together a number of initiatives to provide substance abuse, mental health care, physical health care, and housing in an integrated fashion because these needs are all linked. The proposed services offered will be available to the entire community; not solely to people experiencing homelessness. It will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our goal is to open the shelter with support services by November. Other proposed services, including mental health care and detox, are currently being decided upon and we anticipate will be added throughout the following 15 months. All of this is in the planning and proposal stages. And yes, we already have people opposing the plan. That's where you come in. A town hall meeting will be held to discuss a proposal to create a Center for Health & Housing at 521 S. 11th Street. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club (300 S 15th St, Springfield, IL 62703). The goal of this Town Hall is to present the proposal to the community and listen to feedback/input to the plan. If you believe this proposal would be of value to our community, please consider attending the town hall. We also will be going before the zoning commission on August 21, and the City Council on September 17. Letters of support would be valuable as we make our case for this building and location. Another helpful action would be a phone call to City aldermen, the Mayor, and the Sangamon County Board Chair. Tell them you support a Center for Health & Housing to address the issue of homelessness in Springfield and our surrounding rural areas. If you have any questions, please contact me or Yolanda. We would even be happy to host an informational presentation for groups about the proposed Center if you would like us to come to your church or organization. Thank you for everything you do for the staff and clients at Helping Hands! Erica Smith
ShareMEAL TRAIN 2019 CALENDAR
Posted Dec 26, 2018 by Yolanda Mckinney of
To All my Friends First of all, I APPRECIATE you all and finally the 2019 Meal Train Calendar is "FINISHED" and is up on the Meal Train..... So Please Please Please go on there and Book your date to provide a Hot meal to the guys here at the Helping Hands. Also I would like to inform you all that if you see a date that is NOT on the calendar "Don't Be Alarm" that date is already taken..... Happy Booking:} If you have any concerns or need help pertaining the Meal Train. Please feel free to contact me at 217-522-0048 ext 230 or email at yolanda@helpinghandsofspringfield.org Again thank you all so very much for your patience, Myself and the Team here at the HH appreciate you all.....Looking forward in seeing all your faces when you come here at the Helping Hands.... God Bless you all! Yolanda Shelter Manager
Share2019 Meal Train Calendar
Posted Nov 20, 2018 by Yolanda Mckinney of
Hello My Friends, I just wanted to update you all pertaining the 2019 Meal Train Calendar. I will be working on having the 2019 Meal Train Calendar up and running in about a week or two give or take. With Work, Meetings and preparing for this Thanksgiving Holiday the time just slipped by. I do Apologize! I would like to say again on behalf of Helping Hands we Appreciate each and every last one of you all and I am So Truly Blessed and Very Grateful for what you All do in giving you time and love for the guys here at the Shelter. (FYI) The guys look forward in having a meal at night here at the Shelter. I just Can't say it enough, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.... I look forward in seeing each of you ALL in 2019......GOD Bless you Guys Abundantly!!! Yours Truly, Your Shelter Mg/Meal Coordinator Yolanda
ShareEnough Food for 50 men's Please.....
Posted Oct 22, 2018 by Yolanda Mckinney of
To ALL my Friend Provider's, First I would like to let you all know here at Helping Hands we are so Grateful and Appreciate all of you. Well lately because of the Cold Weather we have been having we have had to turn away 4 or more guys because of the bed space here at the Helping Hands. Myself and the other Shelter Manager Tom have agreed to except 2 or 3 extra mats to accommodate two or three extra men just until Nov 1 when the Winter Warming Center open's. So i am emailing and asking could you make sure the meals you guys are providing will be enough to feed 50 guys. As Always Thank You for being a Blessing and for Blessing us here at the HH. Yolanda M Shelter Manager/Meal Organizer
ShareImmediate need -- Friday, October 19
Posted Oct 19, 2018 by Yolanda Mckinney of
I'm looking for someone who is not busy right now and has a truck. We have three guys at the shelter over, and no mats for them. If you could take 10 minutes to meet me at 1015 E. Madison, we could transport three mats to Helping Hands at 1023 E. Washington. There will be three people (and me) who would be very grateful! It will take all of 10 minutes to accomplish. Please text me at 217-416-5194 if you are out and available tonight. Thank you! Erica Smith Director, Helping Hands
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