The
third of seven in a series about the recipients of this year's Seeds of
Hope Grants to develop and expand social justice ministries in Southern
Virginia. Learn more about Seeds of Hope grants here.
Hickory Neck, Toano, participates in the From His Hands (FHH) program
started over six years ago with the objective of providing hot balanced
meals to approximately 80 people in the Grove Community of James City
County once a week - currently 100 meals are served. Grove represents a
major portion of low income and individuals/families in need in James
City County. There are 13 churches which have united in support of FHH
Ministry. About two years ago, FHH began expanding the ministry to
include a motel which housed homeless and near homeless individuals and
families and an average of 35 meals were delivered on a weekly basis.
About six months ago a second motel was added to the ministry and meals
are served there every other week. 
Some of the churches serving the motels also provide "room bags"
including motel friendly foods like canned soups, canned meats, noodles,
snack bars, and hygiene products. Families at the motels which have
children are often provided with diapers and infant formula and foods.
Currently,
the mission is being supported by grant dollars and each of the member
churches provides monetary support, as well as volunteers, to buy,
prepare and deliver food. The Salvation Army provides a canteen truck
for the delivery of the meals. Over the past six years, most of the
protein was donated by grocery stores. Unfortunately, the grocery store
providing the bulk of the protein went out of business a year ago as a
result of the economy.
