OVERFLOWING HANDS INC BELARUSSIAN OUTREACH

IN SEPTEMBER 2024, WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN AREAS IN VIRGINIA WERE DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE HELENE, BRINGING MASSIVE FLOODS, DESTROYING HOMES, BUSINESSES, ROADS, BRIDGES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. OVERFLOWING HANDS MOBILIZED TO PROVIDE DISASTER RELIEF IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE STORM AND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT WERE DRAMATICALLY AFFECTED. OVERFLOWING HANDS PARTNERED WITH WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN TO PROVIDE LUNCHES AND HOT MEALS. MORE THAN 1,000 FAMILIES WERE SERVED WITH FRESH PRODUCE BOXES FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER. AT THANKSGIVING, 8,000 RESIDENTS IN AVERY, MCDOWELL AND MITCHELL COUNTY, NC AND DAMASCUS VA WERE SERVED "A THANKSGIVING TO REMEMBER" FEAST. CATERED FAMILY MEALS WERE DISTRIBUTED FROM LOCAL CHURCHES AND FIRE STATIONS. 400 VOLUNTEERS HELPED TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS.

OVERFLOWING HANDS SUPPORTS VARIOUS LOCAL PROGRAMS AND MINISTRIES IN OUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND AROUND THE GLOBE TO HELP CHILDREN RECEIVE BASIC DAILY NEEDS, INCLUDING MEALS, CLOTHING, HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES, PROTECTION FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT, ACCESS TO ORGANIZED SPORTS, TRAINING, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND MENTAL WELLNESS. THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO FACILITATE CHILDREN, TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO THRIVE AND REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL. IN 2024, SMALL GROUPS AND CONNECTION GROUPS WERE FUNDED SO THAT CHILDREN COULD GATHER WEEKLY FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIES AND RECEIVE SNACKS AND MEALS. CAMPS WERE FUNDED FOR KIDS AND TEENAGERS TO HELP THEM GET CONNECTED AND GAIN CONFIDENCE. THESE ACTIVITIES WERE FUNDED IN THE U.S., BAHAMAS, MADRID SPAIN, NICARAGUA AND PANAMA. OVERFLOWING HANDS PARTNERED WITH UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY DENTAL STUDENTS TO SEND A MISSION TEAM OF 30 VOLUNTEERS TO RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO, PROVIDING MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH DENTAL CARE. KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WAS INSTALLED IN A FEEDING CENTER IN RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO THAT PREPARES MEALS FOR 200 FAMILIES EACH WEEK. OVERFLOWING HANDS SENT ITS FIRST MISSION TEAM (14 VOLUNTEERS) TO PANAMA TO SUPPORT A NEW MINISTRY THAT IS SERVING POOR AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. MEALS AND PROGRAM SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WEEKLY TO NINE (9) COMMUNITIES, SERVING MORE THAN 2,000 CHILDREN. A GRANT WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO FUND RESEARCH FOR MENTAL HEALTH FOR YOUTH, FOCUSING ON CHILD AND ADOLESCENT ANXIETY AND MOOD DISORDERS.