Cy-Fair Helping Hands Food Pantry Serves Community During Pandemic Story and photos by Patricia Hudson Editor’s Note: In addition to my journalistic endeavors as the Editor of PinPointe Magazine, I have another passion of which one may not be aware: I am also the Executive Director of Community Outreach for Cy-Fair Helping Hands. Together with Jean Dreyer, Executive Director of Homeless Initiatives, we serve the homeless and hungry.
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ntended to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, the Harris County Stay Home, Stay Safe directive exempted the Cy-Fair Helping Hands Community Food Pantry as providers for economically disadvantaged.
Challenges The Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent emotional and economic backlash has affected efforts to serve
the needy in our community. As a direct result of the mass hysteria produced by the virus, partnering food agency donations are at an all-time low. With the closures of schools, churches, and community businesses, sources for non-perishable food, toiletries, and other essential items have dwindled drastically. A faith-based ministry, CFHH is run entirely by volunteers, most of whom are of retirement age. Due to age, health issues, and childcare responsibilities, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced many of our volunteers to remain at home. In spite of these issues, the Cy-Fair Helping Hands Community Food Pantry has maintained regular hours. Appropriate precautions are taken to sanitize surfaces several times daily, donning gloves and masks, and by practicing social distancing. Food is distributed through a curbside drivethru; clients are instructed to remain in their cars and pop their trunks, while volunteers place boxes of nonperishables, bakery goods, produce, meat, and prepared refrigerated foods into their cars.
8 May | June 2020
In the days since the Stay Home directive was passed, CFHH has seen an exponential increase in the number
of families served daily. Peak days have seen record numbers of 180, 200, and 210 cars lined up outside our door, seeking food to feed struggling families. To date, Cy-Fair Helping Hands has provided food for 4,000 families, most new to us, and from as far away as Pearland, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The phone does not stop ringing, as those in need anxiously ask for assistance.
Celebrations Amidst the challenges posed by Covid-19, there have been many bright spots for our community ministry. Churches and businesses have provided enough volunteers to run the pantry and drive-thru food distribution daily. Compassion Bags and sack lunches for our homeless clients are delivered monthly, while ripe bananas become treats of banana bread and muffins. A neighboring
