In November of 2018, The Help Office of Owensboro, Inc., received a holiday donation of nearly 300 hams and turkeys thanks in part to the commitment and kind-hearted effort of Owensboro Health Systems’ employees and families.
According to their website, The Help Office of Owensboro, Inc., is a Christian organization that was founded in 1972 by a group of churches, lay people and clergy. Their mission is to assist the less fortunate in the community with food, clothing and emergency assistance in a meaningful and compassionate way. The financial support the Help Office receives is provided through donations from various churches, businesses, organizations, individuals and foundations.
Some of the emergency assistance they provide includes food, clothing, shoes, household items, utilities, rent, transportation, gasoline, prescription assistance, eyeglass and dental referrals and temporary employee referrals.
“Each year we distribute about 80,000 meals to almost 6,800 clients annually,” said Woody Woodward, executive director of The Help Office of Owensboro.
Woodward said, while there are many generous donors that give to the Help Office, Owensboro Health provides a large percentage of the financial donations for their annual food drive as well as the donation of hams and turkeys for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
“We have been partners with Owensboro Health since 2011 for the annual food drive,” Woodward said. “The food drive conducted by Owensboro Health provides about 40 percent of those meals for the entire year and when you add on the fundraising efforts done through the sale of the T-shirts and otherwise, that helps us with money for utilities, rent assistance and to buy perishable food items.”
Owensboro Health representative Leesa Edge said that over the past several years, the hospital sold long sleeve T-shirts that team members could wear on weekend days and that campaign has been more successful in each year of its existence.
“Our mission at Owensboro Health is to heal the sick and improve the health of the communities we serve,” Edge said. “And this certainly is an example of us serving others outside of Owensboro Health.”
Woodward said the generous support of donors, including those at Owensboro Health, are what allow them to provide the many services they offer to the community.
“We’re just really grateful for the support we receive,” Woodward said. “And, quite frankly, I don’t know what kind of position we would be in if we didn’t receive that help — and I’m glad that we do.”
