Helping Hands

Overview

In the spirit of our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, the Helping Hands Program is designed to help those in need by incorporating the important work many councils already do to care for the most disadvantaged members of our communities. Through this program, councils will aid the needy, homeless, and the addicted through the activities they feel best suit their communities, such as serving at or running a soup kitchen, repairing the facilities of a local service organization or something entirely unique. For Helping Hands resources visit www.kofc.org/helpinghands.

Please Note: Participating in the Helping Hands Program does not satisfy the programming requirements for the Food for Families Program. The two activities are separate and cannot be double-counted. Also, this program is intended to be broad reaching within your community and not specific to certain individuals. It should address the needs of whole groups.

Action Steps

Identify a program chairman to oversee all action steps and delegate tasks, as needed. If coordinating with the parish, confirm pastor approval with grand knight, and then set up subsequent parish ministry collaboration meetings.
Contact leaders from local nonprofit organizations to discuss how the council and parish can best assist them in their work.
As a council, generate program ideas that would benefit those less fortunate in the community. Efforts could include:
- As a parish, cook and/or serve food at no charge at a local soup kitchen or parish hall. (This could be a good family activity.)
- As a council, assist in cleaning and repairing the facilities of a local nonprofit organization (i.e., fixing broken tables, painting walls).
- Hold classes to teach trade skills (electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.).
- Organize collection drives for specific supplies such as blankets, backpacks, toiletries, and clothing.
- Raise money for a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or other nonprofit organization through various events. Money could go toward the purchase of specific supplies and appliances, such as
  a new large freezer or dishwasher, or it could be donated in bulk.
Contact your grand knight, financial secretary, or program director to order Helping Hands resources through Supplies Online via Officers Online.
Build public interest for the program! Promote your Helping Hands activities in your parish and larger community through a variety of efforts:
- Prominently display promotional posters
- Bulletin announcements
- Pulpit announcements
- Posting on your council and parish website / social media pages
Conduct your Helping Hands Program.
On the day of the event, wear Knights of Columbus-branded apparel and have the council membership director set up a table with brochures and membership documents (including Prospect Cards #921A). Do not forget that this event is a recruiting opportunity!
Enlist a fellow Knight or community member to photograph the event.
To gain credit for your program, complete the associated reporting forms.
- Immediately after your program is finished, complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784)
- At the end of the fraternal year, complete the Columbian Award Application (#SP-7)

Resources

#10635- Brochure
#10636- Vertical Poster

Program resources can be ordered by your grand knight, financial secretary and/or program director on Supplies Online via Officers Online.

Overview

Action Steps

Resources

Related Links