Nash non-profit faces closure amid volunteer shortage

Helping Hand Outreach in Nash County may be in its final days of operation with no volunteers to continue serving the community.

The non-profit provides free household items, clothing, toys and more.

There were several emotional moments as the non-profit prepared for what could be its final event.

“It’ll be over if they don’t get a little help,” Barbara Young said.

Young is one of the few volunteers who have been around for years.

“This warm coat I have on today and these shoes I have on. They came right from here,” Young said.

While Young is involved in more ways than one, she said she sticks around for the community that the non-profit has created.

“There’s no way I could say how much I love and appreciate these people and appreciate the service they do for others,” she said.

Ann Richardson has run the non-profit with her sisters since 2015. She calls her work a calling.

Every third Saturday, she welcomes people into her home to pick from items donated by the community.

“We have more people coming for the last five months than we’ve ever had," Richardson said.

Richardson said stopping the service would break her heart, but carrying heavy boxes day after day is too much.

“My sisters and I are tired. Our bodies hurt,” she said. “We are doing so much lifting all by ourselves.”

Richardson said they have welcomed around 100 people in the last several months.

“A whole lot of people depend on us. Some come, and they almost make me cry. They say, ‘I don’t know what we would do without you,’” Richardson said.

On Dec. 16, Richardson said she expects to host more people than ever before for the annual Christmas event.

The event starts at 9:30 a.m. at 105 Surry Drive, Nashville, NC.

The Richardson sisters are holding out hope that they will be able to continue on with an outpouring of support. You can contact Ann at 252-557-6817 if you would like to volunteer.

“Time is what they need, and they’ll return it in love,” Young said.