Green Valley Community Church (GVCC), located in Placerville, is one of the largest food distribution points in El Dorado County. The church serves between 150-300 people every Saturday, preparing and serving them a warm meal while they wait to go through the grocery food line. There is also a clothes closet where people can shop for free. In 2008, Jennifer Bassett, our Hands4Hope founder and executive director, learned about GVCC and their outreach through the Food Bank of El Dorado County and wanted to get youth involved in this heartfelt effort. Since then, youth and adult participants have served and continue to serve alongside GVCC volunteers on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, helping distribute food, run carts, bag clothes, serve the meal, clear tables, etc.
While volunteering, Hands4Hope youth participants noticed a need - a need for a safe place for children to be cared for while their parents/guardians shopped. GVCC members also noticed this need. In 2011, Hands4Hope and GVCC collaborated to create the Kid’s Oasis. This is a safe, on-site place for the children of the Saturday Cafe clients to go while their parents go through the grocery line (which can take as long as 2 hours) and shop for clothes. Hands4Hope runs the Kid's Oasis the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Our youth and adult participants implement kid-friendly activities each week, including crafts and games. All crafts are provided by Hands4Hope volunteers and staff.
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