The Helping Hands pantry is open every Wednesday and Thursday for food distribution. Non-perishable foods are donated by individuals, churches, local businesses, service organizations and schools. Food collection barrels are placed in a variety of community locations year-round.

Fresh meat, eggs, bread and cheese are purchased weekly from a local grocer. Volunteers go to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) in Austin each week to collect supplemental food items. 

Individuals seeking financial aid for necessities (i.e., electricity, water, propane, etc.) are helped by volunteer members of a social work committee. These volunteers assess requests, make payments within defined guidelines, and report to the Board on the appropriate actions taken.

This assistance is provided to help our neighbors in need to "get back on their feet," enabling them to lend a helping hand to others when their own situation improves.

Payments are always made directly to the vendor providing the service to ensure proper use of the organizations' funds.

Confidentiality of clients is maintained at all times.

Helping Hands Elf Project is a community wide Christmas gift drive for families in the Dripping Springs area that need an extra hand.  Project Elf gives community members an opportunity to anonymously provide gifts for children who otherwise would not have them at Christmas.  In 2008 Dripping Springs businesses and churches came together to provided over a 1000 gifts for the children of over 100 families.  We project over 160 families will be served in 2009.  You’ll find our trees at most area businesses and churches within Dripping Springs.  Just look for the tree covered with red and green mittens to find a gift.  Be sure to follow the instructions on the mitten and return the gift by December 11th to businesses or December 13th for churches. 

Additional food donation barrels are placed at local schools, churches and businesses during the holidays to handle the greater volume of canned, boxed and packaged non-perishable items.

Thank you for your generosity and support!