Volume 36 No. 1 Sharing and Caring Hands Spring / Summer 2020Volume 36 No. 1 Sharing and Caring Hands Spring / Summer 2020Volume 36 No. 1 Sharing and Caring Hands Spring / Summer 2020

FROM MY HEARTMy Dear Friends,I am writing today to tell you about something on my heart. As I start to see the many people coming through our doors, I want you to know that they are afraid, have lost hope, and have no one to turn to. They come to us at Sharing and Caring Hands and Mary’s Place and no longer feel alone on their journey. Your generous support makes them feel they have someone to turn to – they feel hopeful – For Hope Is Not A Wish But A Promise That Nobody Walks Alone. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others! I am also grateful for the beautiful and joyful Christmas you gave to so many. The Christmas that these children had was beyond what you can ever imagine. I wish you could see the happiness and the not worrying of what they are going to do for Christmas on their faces. It was a Christmas not to be forgotten by myself and hundreds of other people, especially the children. It is hard for the people that are poor and I know you know that. They do not have anything. Put in a holiday on top of everything else they are struggling with and it is really hard. But this year I can say that you made it easier for them to smile and have a happy and holy Christmas. I am also able to provide support to hundreds of families and children with food, clothes, basic needs, and so much more. The need for food and clothes has been in high need, but I am able to provide it with no worries because of all of you.I would like to ask for your help. We need more kitchen servers and volunteers. Summer is coming and a lot of people will have different commitments or go to their cabins and on vacations. It would be of tremendous help if anyone could spare a couple of hours here and there on a Monday through Thursday. We also need more tutors for the hundreds of children we have at Mary’s Place. Please consider committing for two hours once a week because these children could sure use your smiles and your help. Finally we also need more doctors and nurses in our clinic. During the summer we always lose some volunteers, so I am asking you to think about if there is anything you can do to be able to help – I will certainly appreciate it. I would also like to say that you have really helped so many people with your monetary donation or with other means of support – every one of you has given something. It is truly making this place shine. And when I say that people have been living in darkness… No, not anymore… Through your help and support, they have seen a great light. It is the light of hope and peace that they are not alone. God has accomplished and made all of this happen through all of you. I thank you and bless you from the bottom of my heart. You have been a great support to many hundreds of people – you may not even realize it, but you will in heaven. Thank you again. I always know I can count on all of you.We have all heard and know about the virus. I encourage people to realize that the fear will be bigger in the end than the virus. Be prudent. Be cautious. Be careful when you are out. Our life is not in our hands, but in God’s hands. It always has been and always will be. This too shall pass away so do not pass with it. And please remember to always put faith over fear. May God bless you all – you are all always in my heart and prayers. Yours In Christ, Mary Jo Copeland Founder & Director of Sharing and Caring Hands

Over the holiday season, we prepared several extra special holiday meals. Thousands of hungry people were fed.

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTSThank you to everyone who donated monetary gifts, toys, organized donation drives, volunteered, and remembered the poor and less fortunate this past Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holiday season. A special thank you to DAMIAN MORAN of Twin Cities Wedding DJs for providing holiday music at both Sharing and Caring Hands and Mary’s Place; ALL CHURCHES,

BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS that help us prepare and serve over 4600 meals per week. Because of you and your generosity we were able to brighten thousands of lives in need!

Because of the thousands of brand new toy donations we received, we were able to grant 500+ children’s

Christmas wish lists.

Every single child that lives at Mary’s Place or came with their parent to Sharing and Caring Hands was gifted a

brand new winter coat.

ONGOING NEEDSPlease call 612-338-4640 or email info@sharingandcaringhands.org if you have any questions. PANTRY FOOD items for those that access our Food Shelf. HYGIENE items for men, women, and kids. DIAPERS, PULL-UPS, BABY WIPES, BABY FORMULA. HOUSEHOLD items (new/gently used but in excellent condition)- dishes, pots and pans, crockpots, glasses, silverware, towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, and small appliances in good working condition. CLOTHING (new/gently used but in excellent condition) for men, women, and kids. CAR SEATS/STROLLERS in great working condition (car seats cannot be expired).

“Wherever you go, be sharing and caring hands to everyone you meet…”

MARY’S PLACE NEW TEEN ROOMThis past winter, we transformed the Mary’s Place Play-room into a new and special Teen Room for the high school teens living at Mary’s Place. Many of the teens you see in these pictures really wanted to be involved in the transformation process so they assisted our maintenance staff in removing the old playroom equipment, painting, and assembling the new furniture. They were so excited about having a new, special hang out space. The new Teen Room is staffed by one of the Mary’s Place Family Advo-cates named Liban whom the teens easily connect with and look up to – he has become a mentor to many of these teens. Liban has many job duties and responsibilities but always makes time to regularly open this room for the teens to have a fun, safe space to be. He provides them food and snacks and the teens enjoy fellowship together, listening to music, playing boardgames, and watching movies on the big flat screen tv. When you walk into this room full of teens, you are met with huge smiles and happy laughter. This has been such a fun space for them – it has been a blessing and gift to see their happiness and joy when they come together in this room.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT : JAMES17 years ago, James came to Sharing and Caring Hands for service help. He had already been staying at shelters for many years. Mary Jo saw something special in him, gave him a chance, and gave him a job. He has been working here with her ever since. James assists the Sharing and Caring Hands kitchen manager – we would not be able to serve all of the meals that we do without his help. The Sharing and Caring Hands kitchen manager says, “James is THE BEST – he never complains – if I need his help (even if it is an emergency and he is at home), he will drop whatever he is doing to come in – I could not run the Sharing and Caring Hands kitchen with-out him!” He also helps Mary Jo by distributing the incoming donations – if Mary Jo needs certain donations to be given out at Mary’s Place, he is the one to take care of that important task. James’ colleagues and those that know him well describe him as an extremely driven hard worker who is always on time, has endless energy, never takes a break, is outgoing, has a great sense of humor, and last but certainly not least, is faithful and loyal to Mary Jo and the mission of Sharing and Caring Hands. James says “Mary Jo has done so much for me. She is one of the best people I have ever met and known. She is a beautiful person. She has made me a better person and for that she means everything to me.”

MEET A SPECIAL MARY’S PLACE FAMILY YOUR DONATIONS

ARE HELPING

“When I made the decision to ask for help and I saw Mary Jo’s smiling face and she told me I didn’t have to worry anymore, I cried. Mary Jo cried with me and prayed with me. I had a sense of relief that’s hard to explain. I never wanted to face this kind of struggle again and I made huge changes in my life to try to be a financially stable single mom. I went to CDL training and received my Class A License and started driving semi trucks in construction – making more money than I’ve ever made in my life. I did that to gain construction experience to make myself appealing to the Equipment Operators Union. I took the tests and was invited to interview with the union for their pre-apprentice training program. Out of 500+ applicants, I was one of 10 people chosen to go through their training program and was placed at my first company as an Operating Apprentice. My first year, I spent 12 hours a day shoveling for weeks straight – working longer days and doing more physical labor than I’ve ever done in my life. In road construction you work at least 60 hours a week and I didn’t give up even when I wanted to (because my body hurt so much). By this year, though, my body started hurting to the point of nausea. I wanted to throw up because my hips hurt so much. I told my boss I was going to go to the doctor to figure out what was going on. After seeing several doctors and specialists, I found out that I have a soft tissue disorder that affects the cartilage in my joints. I have tears in both my hips requiring hip replacement surgery. Due to my anatomy, these tears can’t be fixed with just minor surgery. I was finally told last week by my doctor that I can’t go back to construction even after my surgery because all of my joints have been affected by this soft tissue disorder. I have an appointment soon for genetics testing at the Mayo Clinic which is right around the time I should be returning back to work again, so it’s devastating knowing I can’t. But Mary Jo continues to pray with me every week, giving me hope. I’m trying to stay strong for my children. They, of course, are having a hard time with all of this, but Mary Jo – even in her most busy times – will take time to talk to my children when they’re sad or scared. Mary Jo is our rock and she reminds us of God’s love just by the constant love and care she shows us. Mary Jo works tirelessly – yet when I’m in her chapel praying with her, time stops for a moment, and she cries with me. She sees hundreds of people everyday, but she cares about every single individual that comes through her doors. God definitely works through Mary Jo and I want to be more like her because of the hope and love that she brings to people. Those are the things I think about when I start to feel sorry for myself and I start asking, “Why, God?” I think of Mary Jo and her unending hope and love for all of us and thank God instead. I thank Him for my beautiful children, a roof over our heads, food to eat, and last but not least for Mary Jo Copeland.”

“Meet Amy and her two children Lilian (age 14) and Cole (age 12). They live at Mary’s Place and have

touched our hearts. We are so thankful your donations make it possible to help this family in need.”

SUMMER READING PROGRAMPlease consider spending part of your summer with us in the Reading Program. This program pairs volunteers one-on-one with at-risk children, many of whom have never had someone to sit and read with them; students read aloud to volunteers for 30 minute sessions which helps them move closer to their respective grade levels by the next academic year. We offer interactive materials for volunteers to use to make the students’ learning engaging and fun! This program is much-loved by both children and volun-teers and we are excited for another successful summer of reading.

Volunteers need to be 16 years and older and need to commit to coming once per week as this is only an 8-week program. Volunteers are provided an orientation training before working with students. Summer Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 3:30-5:30pm. Mid-June through Mid-August (We take 1 week off for the 4th of July holiday) Sign-Up Schedule: New and returning volunteers can email/call now to sign-up! Sign-Up Contact: Please call/email Nalee Lor at 612-596-3447 or nlor@sharingandcaringhands.org. “The time I spent volunteering at Mary’s Place in the classrooms has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding service experiences. I highly recommend this opportunity to everyone. You will not regret your time spent here!” –Katy Z.

FOOD & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP FEED THE HUNGRY We are in urgent need of both food and volunteers to help us feed the hungry. Now, more than ever before, we are seeing a drastic increase in people coming to Sharing and Caring Hands in need of a warm meal. Our cafeteria is overflowing. We are desperately looking for food service and restaurants to donate meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and/or volunteer servers willing to come serve the meals. If you can help, please call/email 612-338-4640 or info@sharingandcaringhands.org.

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO DONATED SPECIAL EASTER BASKETS FOR THE CHILDREN!

“Great leaders are great servants. Go serve your God, serve your family, serve your community.”

LETTERS FROM THE MAIL BAGDear Mary Jo,

You are my guardian angel! If it were not for you, my 2 grandsons and I wouldn’t have a safe place to live. When we lost our home, my husband and I had no idea what to do. A social worker from one of my grandson’s school told me to go to Sharing and Caring Hands. I’m not used to asking for help, I’ve always been the one helping others. So, this was very hard for me. But I went and met you. I explained our situation and an hour later we were shown our new Mary’s Place home! You gave us money for food and gave my grandsons each a beautiful new blanket and stuffed animals knowing that’d comfort them! You have given me so much during our stay here. Not just material items. You’ve given me hope, understanding, and above all, Love! You’ve shown me the power of prayer and I’m passing that on to my grandsons. If it weren’t for you and Mary’s Place, I don’t know where we’d be today. To say I’m grateful to you and for you is such an understatement. I know I’m truly blessed to have you in my life. God works in mysterious ways and He brought me here for a reason. To help me let go of the past, learn how to live in the present, and to be grateful for my family’s future. God Bless You, Mary Jo! You’re always in our prayers.

Forever Grateful, Kathie R & Family (Room #212) (Below are Kathie R’s grandsons with Mary Jo)

Though these letters are directed to Mary Jo and the staff, we share them with you to show the impact your love, generosity and caring love have on the lives of others.

Dear Mary Jo,

Before ending up here at Mary’s Place, our family was really going through a tough time. We were in Memphis, TN. We lost our apartment, were living in and out of our car and hotels, and barely making it day to day. We tried using resources but kept being denied because “our family size was too big.” We moved to Minneapolis with literally nothing and someone told us to come to you and Mary’s Place and that you could help us. And help you did – you moved us right into Mary’s Place and you’ve helped us with everything – you’ve provided us with a roof over our heads, food, clothing, and safety. You and your staff make sure our kids are taken care of. Our kids are so happy going to the Children

Center, Teen Center, and Tutoring Program. Our kids are learning and playing. We’re thankful for everything.

Love, Deandre, Jeanette, & Their 6 Children (Room #250)

LETTERS FROM THE KIDS

Sharing and Caring Hands525 North 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405

612-338-4640v v v v v v v v v v

Business Hours:M-Th: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sat.-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.v v v v v v v

You can use your Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express for donations to Sharing & Caring Hands.

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We also have the option of Electronic Funds Transferv v v v

Want to know more? Visit us on the Web!www.sharingandcaringhands.orginfo@sharingandcaringhands.org

YOU CAN DONATE TO SHARING & CARING HANDS ONLINE.

ULTIMATE GIFTPlease consider a gift to Sharing & Caring Hands as part of your will or trust as you do your estate planning. Donations can be in the form of stocks, 401K’s, insurance policies, or charitable remainder trusts. Talk to your financial advisor or call Mary Jo Copeland at 612-328-4290.Regular donations are vital to our work, and many employers will match your donations, thus doubling its value. You can use your Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express for donations to Sharing & Caring Hands. A donation of stock is also welcome and can have great tax advantages. We are a 501(C)(3) charity so all donations are tax deductible. May God bless your generosity!

Dear Mary Jo,

Thank you for letting us stay at Mary’s Place and thank you for Christmas. We loved all of

our presents. You gave us everything on our wish lists. We love you so much.

Love, Toby (age 10) & Trinity (age 9)

Dear Mary Jo,

Whenever I’m feeling down and sad, I look to you, and you are such a bright light that I can’t help but to feel better. Thank you for always smiling. You always know how to cheer me up.

Love, Aubrey (age 16)

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