Caring Hands, a non-profit in Jeff Davis Parish, is seeking donations to continue to expand its services and find a new home to reach more families in need.

In the past, the group provided food, clothing and other assistance to improve the quality of life for families, but those services had to be stopped after Caring Hands lost its building on Main Street in Jennings, according to board member Celia Joe Black.

“When we lost the building, people just thought Caring Hands went away and it didn’t,” she said.

It is now working to secure a building to expand its services from a physical location.

Although Caring Hands has not been able to provide clothing and food to those in need since the building closed, Black said the group has continued to work to reach as many families as possible.

“We have been busy, especially for the last two years, in providing assistance to people with utility bills, including electricity, water and gas,” she said.

In 2022, Caring Hands assisted 144 families with nearly $30,000 in utility assistance.

So far this year, it has assisted 198 families with over $40,000 in needs.

“And we expect to do many more, especially when that weather starts getting cold,” she said.

In order to continue the work, Caring Hands needs more financial support and volunteers, she said.

Caring Hands will have an information booth 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday during Jennings Alive to let the public know about the services and what is needed to help expand the program.

“I think Caring Hands is the type of charity that every community wants to be involved in,” Black said. “Everybody that has been blessed and can afford to help others, it is a way to help our fellow man and care for those who have a need.”

Caring Hands is able to provide assistance to families with monetary donations from area churches, individuals and organizations.

“Any churches or businesses that aren’t involved with Caring Hands, if they would like to be, we’d be happy to have them join our group,” Black said.

“It is really for a good cause,” she continued. “Most of these people are very hard working people trying to raise a family in this economic time. Salaries are not going up and people are getting laid off. They are just not making enough money to pay a $200 electric bill that used to be $40.”

To qualify for services, applicants must be Jeff Davis Parish residents and meet the federal poverty and household income guidelines.

Recipients are well vetted and monies are not given directly to individuals, but to the providers of services that they need to live comfortably, Black said.

Anyone wanting to donate or volunteer can contact Black at 337-368-7777 or Flo McNally at 337-329-2057.

Those in need of assistance should call 337-246-1820 for an appointment.