The Gateway Center, The location of Community Helping Hands. P-J photo by Owen Reed.

Community Helping Hands officials are looking toward the Gateway Lofts project as a potential financial lifeline after pausing operations recently.

Community Helping Hands made a recent announcement through Facebook that the organization will be pausing operations of the thrift store and clothing assistance program, with the last day of operations coming on March 20. Though the organization has been struggling financially for quite some time, leaders remain hopeful that operations will be able to one day resume again.

Carol Hay, Community Helping Hands board president, said the organization’s board met this last month to once again discuss the financial situation that has been plaguing the organization. Hay stated that the board came to the decision that it would be best to indefinitely pause most operations of Community Helping Hands, though the other organizations that rent space from Community Helping Hands in the Gateway Center will continue to operate.

Hay said the leaders of the organizations have met with various funders from around the area to discuss what will happen going forward. Though these funders contributed heavily toward keeping the organization running for the last decade, Hay stated that the group is now looking toward the Gateway Lofts Project to help bring more sustainability to the finances.

“We couldn’t really do a lot of changes because we’re waiting for the project to start. Obviously, what we were doing was not really sustainable income,” said Hay. “A business model of accepting donations to give to those in need or to sell them in the thrift store could not sustain the financial obligations of Community Helping Hands and the Gateway Center.”

Hay said the board is hoping to resume operation in some capacity before the completion of the Gateway Lofts Project, but that will heavily depend on local collaborations. Though the thrift shop will be gone, Hay stated that the organization is still trying to stay connected with the community during this time. One event that the group is hosting in an attempt to do so is a celebration for National Day of Prayer on May 7. Hay noted that the group will have a setup in the parking lot to allow guests to come in and hear various prayers, and even get a snack on a lunch break.

One of the greatest concerns surrounding this pause in operation is the wonder of how the community demand for clothing assistance will now be met, as Community Helping Hands was the largest clothing assistance organization within the county. As prices continue to rise, and concerns over costs spread rapidly, Hay said the board still hopes to be able to help those in need. Hay stated that the group has been working to direct callers to other assistance organizations within the county. There is currently assistance offered by the thrift store at St. Luke’s Episcoapl Church, the First Lutheran church, as well as many school districts throughout the county.

“We need to figure out how we can continue being that full service organization, but do it sustainably,” said Hay. “I do think that it’s important that Helping Hands stay in front of the public’s eye, because we’re not going away. We just need to look at how to be sustainable and do what’s needed for the community.”