Gaithersburg HELP, Inc.

I was unemployed and waiting on my disability which takes a long time. I live in Montgomery Village as a resident and when I called for help they jumped in to help me and my husband with meals that helped so so much they are a great organization that helps the community they serve.

I am constantly WOW'd by the dedication and service provided by the ride schedulers and drivers for Gaithersburg HELP. Each month a dozen or so drivers serve hundreds of Seniors and people with disabilities, taking them to critical doctor's visits and trips for getting social services. The numbers of requests keep growing and growing. They need more volunteers!! If you live in or near Gaithersburg and you've got a few hours each month, please volunteer with them. You'll get all the training and support you'd ever want, and make great new friends. Driving Seniors is a blast, too. You never know who you'll meet!

Iim a brand new volunteer and couldn't be more excited working for this organiztion. We help feed low income families through a pantry service. I'm a new food coordinator and received excellent training for this position.

So
Far I've only served the pantry one day but still found it to be a rewarding experience.

GaithersburgHELP IS THE BEST!!

Gaithersburg Help, in Gaithersburg MD, is an amazing organization. It provides food, infant needs, vital transportation, funds for prescriptions, and financial support to hundreds of people every year, all without charge and from an all-volunteer staff.

I am always sick, I go to the Dr at least 4 times a month if it weren't for Gaithersburg I would be lost. Everyone I've met over the phone has been polite and helpful. Thank you so much for your help. Gwendolyn Osborne

I'm a mother of 3 in Gaithersburg, and our current income barely keeps a roof above our heads. I'm currently seeking employment but had nothing appropriate to wear. I called Gaithersburg Help and they gave me a Goodwill voucher and bus tokens. I found a GREAT interview outfit and you know how expensive buses are now so this was a HUGE HELP. The AWESOME volunteer actually met me at Goodwill with the voucher. These people CARE!!! I JUST LOVE THEM!!! I'm going to update you once I've actually found a job.

I was new to the Gaithersburg, Maryland area one year ago, and I was (am) struggling with a Disability. I I passed by the window for the "Gaithersburg Help" office, and as luck would have it, they had their phone number on the door. I called the number and left a message that I was a single Dad struggling a bit, and asked to inquire about what options could be available to me. The next morning, I received a call back with an explanation of their Food Pantry, Medical Assistance as well as Transportation help. I immediately signed up for the Food Assistance. The volunteers are always so kind each month, and they provide families with a nice supply of food. I also participated (today!) in the Medical Assistance program, and it was AWESOME. They have helped me so much. I will not hesitate to tell someone who may be struggling who lives in Gaithersburg to reach out to this Organization. They treat everyone with kindness and respect.

I joined the Board as a representative of my congregation several years ago and had done a limited amount of volunteering previously. I am impressed by the dedication of the all-volunteer leadership and the committed volunteers that keep the organization functioning smoothly.

I've been a Food Cordinator with Gaithersburg HELP for about four months and have found this experience to be very rewarding. I received excellent training and materials when I started and
work twice a month from 9am to 1pm on a weekday retrieving voice mails, contacting clients,
determining their needs and updating a database to schedule their visit to the food pantry.
If anyone is considering volunteer work I highly recommend Gaithersburg HELP.

As a volunteer with Gaithersburg HELP for the last several years, I have been deeply touched by the kind words we hear from our clients. I serve as a food coordinator, taking calls from people who request food which they then pick up at our pantry. For those who travel to the pantry via bus we are able to provide tokens and for those unable physically to go to the pantry, we have volunteers who will make food deliveries. No one in our service area is turned away.

Not a volunteer day goes by without many heartfelt thanks from those who rely on our services. For those who lost their jobs, became ill or suffered an accident, our services are needed and deeply appreciated. I have talked with a professional who worked at a local hospital, but suffered a stroke and is now unable to work. Another client is retired, but now raising her granddaughters on her small pension. These people didn’t ask for their current situations, but are upbeat, positive people making the best of things, and both are profuse in their thanks for our assistance. These are just two of the stories and there are many others, but it comes down to giving help where it’s needed, and I’m proud to be associated with Gaithersburg HELP.

I have volunteered with Gaithersburg HELP for a number of years as a food coordinator. The most rewarding aspect of being a food coordinator is speaking with the clients who call in to receive assistance. An example of some of the comments are:
without the assistance of HELP, my family could not have made it this month;
I just lost my job and it is difficult to pay the bills and put food on the table;
many thanks for the good work that your do.
In addition to speaking with the clients, it is a joy to work with volunteers whose goal is to help those in need without question or judgment. This is truly an all volunteer organization who puts clients first!

Gaithersburg HELP is a non-profit that assists local families with assistance for basic needs including food, infant diapers and formula, prescriptions and transportation to medical and social service appointments. Clients are scheduled to come to the food pantry and this maintains their dignity in not having to stand in a food line. One of the remarkable attributes of Gaithersburg HELP is that is has been, and remains today, a 100% volunteer organization for over 45 years. And therefore, HELP can utilize nearly all funds for direct client services. It is amazing to watch over 140 volunteers each doing a small part to add up to the strong organization that Gaithersburg HELP is today. It takes a village!

I started volunteering for Gaithersburg HELP in 2003. I started as a Food Coordinator volunteering 1 day a month. I returned voice mail messages from clients that were requesting to come to our food pantry. I immediately felt pride in helping to facilitate a connection of families in need with our services. Within the first year I was asked to join the Rx team. Here I volunteered 1 day a week calling clients who needed assistance paying for prescription medications that they could not afford. I continue to volunteer on this team to this day, but I am now also the head of the Rx program. When I talk to clients I not only assist with the payment of the current Rx need, but also talk with them about the many possible options for programs that can assist with ongoing Rx needs. Most clients are totally unaware that there are options out there that they can enroll in that will ease the burden for the cost of their medications. It is very rewarding to know that I have given a person in need some guidance and assistance that will make a true difference in their lives.

There are many various volunteer opportunities with HELP, so you can find a role that utilizes your expertise or you can try something brand new. Giving of one's time and talent is very rewarding and satisfying. I really enjoy volunteering with so many wonderful people who are striving to make a difference in our community, and we do.