In January 2014, a church in Carmel, Indiana gave away $83,000 to their congregation. The total amount was distributed in individual envelopes ranging from $10 to $50. The church’s Lead Pastor instructed his congregation to use the money in whatever way they wanted. The goal was simply to inspire Christians to do good in their communities.

Helpings of Hope was the recipient of one of those envelopes. Katresha Taylor, a member of the church, gave Helpings of Hope an envelope with $30 inside. She said she felt lead by God to give us the envelope, even though at the time it seemed that Helpings of Hope was more of a dream than a reality. Katresha’s donation was the exact amount  needed to file for incorporation, and on October 9, 2014, Helpings of Hope officially became a public benefit corporation. We will forever be grateful for Katresha’s and her church’s kind heart.

This simple story shows that a small gift can turn into a large donation that ultimately impacts the lives of many more than we could have ever imagined!

(Kitty Seelig, Helpings of Hope’s Executive Director, gives our attorney, Doug Jeschke, the check to start the incorporation process.)