With the past year being the busiest time in history for the Helping Hand of Warren County, Executive Director Sue Wilson wants to help remove the stigma about using a food bank or receiving help. Wilson tells KNIA News the food pantry has an education campaign about how using the Helping Hand services is much more than just getting some help with food, it’s about getting you back on your feet and caught up.

“If you just get your meat and cheese and all that from us, you can use that extra money and shift it over to your other bills. Your utility bills, medical bills, rent, cell phone, gas money, whatever it may be. So we’ve been able to teach people how to shop with us, then shift that money over to a different account and then save overall.”

Wilson also said right now the Helping Hand can use personal care products such as deodorant or laundry soap, as well as fruits , apple sauce, pork and beans, and condiments.