Shepherd’s Hand started in 2014 as a clothing ministry in a couple of rooms in the back of Walnut Memorial Baptist Church. Nearly 9 years later, the ministry has expanded to provide clothing, food, and furniture to those in need, and operates across 6,000 square feet of space at The Father’s House.
Director Gwen Bennett said that in all areas of the ministry, everything goes back to one principle: “If I won’t use it, I won’t give it.”
“We feel like what we do is a hand up, not a handout. That can change the whole dynamic,” Bennett said.
The ministry began with Bennett only having a pile of clothes to give out. Over time, it grew as she received donations. Now she gives clothes out regularly, and the ministry spans several rooms at The Father’s House campus at 3031 Bittel Road near the airport.
During the week, Shepherd’s Hand accepts referrals from school systems, shelters, and other agencies to meet the clothing needs of the community. They also load up a trailer throughout the year and go into different parts of the community.
In their most recent popup, the organization had almost 400 people go through the trailer to receive clothing. The trailers do popups from March to December, but the physical rooms are open year-round.
Bennett said Shepherd’s Hand will accept all clients by appointment and ensure everyone can be helped. Clients are limited to shopping for clothes four times a year, meaning they can pick up clothes for every season.
Regardless of the number of children in the family, Bennett said they receive five to seven outfits per child — including socks, underwear, coats, and shoes.
“And we’ve never charged anything. There’s never been a charge for anything since I started this in 2014,” Bennett said.
In 2019, she began the new venture by opening a food pantry. Instead of limiting the number of times families can receive, Shepherd’s Hand allows those in need to pick up groceries and other goods curbside at The Father’s House every Tuesday morning.
The weekly donation always fills the church’s parking lot, at times reaching 800 families lined up. Bennett said sometimes the cars start arriving 3 hours before the food is given out. Most recipients, she said, are grandparents that are raising their grandchildren.
Over the last year, grocery stores have seen increases in the cost of food, and Bennett said that while things may be leveling out now, she is proud to continuously not charge and to meet the needs where necessary.
“It’s a need. People say, ‘do they really need it?’ and I say just talk to the people I just talked to. I mean, when you’re living on Social Security and you’ve got six or eight grandkids … take that and add it onto your budget,” she said.
Bennett said that often it takes two days to fill every box with enough food and items that will last for a week, but with the help of her team of volunteers, it’s doable every week.
“We have got a God that just blesses us in abundance,” she said. “…It’s not just about if they are in poverty, it’s that we show Jesus. It’s not just food and clothing giveaways.”
