About

Origins

Helping Hands was born in 1983 as a small but mighty ministry within First English Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Montana. Originally insular by design, it began with a simple mission: to support the congregation’s own needy members with donations of food and clothing. The founding idea was rooted in community, caring for one another as Christ teaches.

Development

Over time, as word of the ministry’s good work spread, Helping Hands gradually extended its reach beyond the church walls. For the first two decades we were open as an emergency once-a-month pantry. By the early 2000s, the ministry opened its doors to the public, offering food and clothing to anyone in need. When Covid hit and brought increased shortages, once a month was no longer an option, and it became a weekly distribution. Every Saturday, for just a few hours, the church became a place of refuge and support for the broader community. What started as a small internal effort blossomed into a vital resource for hundreds of people each week.

Transition

In 2023, facing a diminishing congregation, First English Lutheran Church made the difficult decision to close its doors after many years of faithful service. However, one thing was clear: the ministry of Helping Hands was thriving, and its mission needed to continue. In an act of forward-thinking generosity, the church council donated the church buildings and resources to a newly formed 501(c)(3) organization, ensuring that Helping Hands would carry on.

Forward

Today, Helping Hands proudly serves as a living legacy of First English Lutheran Church, continuing the work of Christ by feeding and clothing those in need. While the church may no longer be physically present, its spirit of service and compassion remains alive and strong in every act of care and kindness that Helping Hands provides. As we look to the future, we remain committed to growing and evolving to meet the needs of our community.