Matthews Help Center

On March 30, 2023, Matthew Help Center was a BIG!! blessing to our family. They brought tears of joy to me (Helen) when I was told the good news! that they can help pay for our high utility bill. It has been very hard for a lot of families like ours with the rising of inflation, trying to do their best to survive. But thank God! that their are help centers out there like this one that do their best, to help others. And Ms Danielle was a wonderful case worker when it came to communicating on what she needed from me, and when i had a question, she was good in communicating back and forth about my case. Great customer service!! Our family appreciate all of you! at Mathews Help Center, in all you do to help families.
I am so..grateful!! Helen Myers

Matthews Help Center is a real blessing to some many peop experiencing difficult times. It is also a blessing to those of us who are privileged to volunteer ther.

The Matthews Help Center is a wonderful example of community coming together to help those in need.

The Matthews HELP Center is a tremendous asset to the people Matthews. My company contributes to the Bounceback BackPack Program, which provides a backpack of food each weekend to 60 needy children in our local elementary school. The kids really look forward to receiving the backpack at school each Friday, because it means they won't have to worry about finding something to eat that weekend. It is a great way for local companies to get involved in serving their local community.

We also adopt a family at Christmas thru the HELP Center. While the recipients of our donations are grateful for the gifts, we too are grateful for the opportunity to help them.

Without the coordination of the HELP Center, we would not have known that this need exists. Thank you for making us aware of the struggles in our own backyard, so we can assist our neighbors and grow as a community.

I can honestly say that this nonprofit is impeccable in its handling of donor goods and dollars. There is no fluff and the decisions made are always made with the client's best interest at heart. If you have ever donated to an organization and wondered just how much of that donation actually made it into the hands of the clients served, this is the place for you. It is reasonably staffed, and they are not overly paid. It has a board of caring and dedicated people who are committed to oversight, and has internal controls to prevent issues from within. The social workers have a heart for the mission and do what they do because they love helping people. There is a very large volunteer force of people devoted to the mission of "Helping Ease Local Poverty." The staff of Matthews HELP Center are the most creative bunch of people I've ever met and they are constantly trying to address client need in new and different ways. They truly do treat each client with dignity and respect. Wonderful place. Wonderful mission. Wonderful people.

I volunteered at the Matthews Help Center in 2012-2013. It was the most amazing experience I had ever had. I was a recent college graduate at the time looking for an opportunity to serve my community and volunteering here was the most rewarding experience I could of had. I learned so much. The people at the organization are truly amazing and wonderful. All the wonderful programs they have to offer the community and the kindness of everyone there warms my heart. I am truly blessed to have meet everyone that works or volunteers there.

I volunteered at this wonderful organization from 1986 until I moved from the area in 2010. I served on the Board for many years, and volunteered at least three days a week. Joan Uhrich was the director during most of this time period and was an amazing leader. Tracey Doyle is to be credited for the success of the thrift shop. I will always cherish my time at the Matthews Help Center, and I shop there now with my granddaughter as often as possible.
Susan McDonald

During fortunate and unfortunate changes in our lives there are always options as to what to do with a surplus of "living essentials & supplies". Through several of these life events we chose to not sell or consign. We donated to the Matthews Help Center. The Leadership, and Volunteers are heart driven and so compassionate with each car-load and truck load of donations. It is often difficult to remove meaningful and valuable items from your home. Knowing the value those items will be to another family while helping an organization to further help others...makes it all worthwhile.

Great place to shop. People are extremely friendly and I never leave without finding something to take home. I always find a toy for my grandson at a low price which he will enjoy for a while and after he has outgrown it, I re-donate it.

I began volunteering with MHC shortly after moving to the area 3 years ago. Since then I have helped out a bit in the food pantry and have helped with the Christmas program, the Back 2 school program and the Bounceback Backpack program.

Having volunteered with and worked with several nonprofit organizations in the past, I have been extremely impressed with how well MHC is run. The unbelievable staff manage donations and volunteers efficiently and in order to maximize every penny and volunteer hour. They pull off unbelievable service to the Matthews community and do so with such grace, giving each person they encounter dignity and respect. I feel honored to be a small part of this amazing place.

I have been volunteering at the Help Center in an administrative capacity for a little over a year. The organization is highly professional and efficient. They use the monies raised to help the clients and are constantly thinking of innovative ways to do so. I started volunteering because I saw some of their "Bounce Back Backpacks" in my kids' elementary school. These are backpacks filled with food that children who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend without their school meals can take home and eat. This program is just one of the many that truly impact people who live in our community. They serve Matthews and nearly surrounding areas - if charity starts at home this is the place to begin your efforts.

I have been volunteering at Matthews Help Center for 2 years, and in all of the organizations that I've ever been a part of and volunteered with, I've never felt so honored or so part of a "family" as I do here. All of the volunteers and employees pull together and work hard to ensure that the store looks great and most importantly, the client's needs are met. I'm proud to a part of the Matthews Help Center and will continue to volunteer my time there.

I began my volunteer partnership in 2008 with the Matthews Help Center. In this case, the HELP is an acronym for help ease local poverty. I was invited by a friend who told me she volunteered there and how much she liked it. I guess you could say she recruited me. I am thankful for her persistence because not only is the Matthews Help Center an outstanding organization for the Matthews community but also because the staff treats their volunteers like royalty. Though not federally funded, the Matthews Help Center is supported by generous people who give contributions as well as from the proceeds of the Backporch Treasures Thrift Shop. As a result, many people are assisted with financial needs including but not limited to payment of rent, utility bills, Christmas gifts for the needy and a whole range of other services. Depending upon the need, clients may be eligible for food from their food pantry and/or clothes from the thrift shop all for FREE. The staff is very congenial and lovely to work with. Though I like to sort the clothing as the donations come in, I'm privileged to provide assistance in whatever is asked of me. The Backporch Treasures Thrift Shop has clothing and housewares for the entire family. The clothes sorters get first dibs (yes, we pay for the merchandise) on the donations and the deals are spectacular. The staff honor the volunteers in several ways in the month of April during National Volunteer month. All in all, volunteering at the Matthews Help Center is a win-win success story. Brandy M.

I've been a volunteer here since 2008 and am repeatedly impressed by the way the Help Center keeps finding new and better ways to serve the community. The thrift shop maintains a high standard of quality merchandise, imaginatively displayed. Plans for future expansion show a continuing commitment to helping the people of Matthews and beyond. Backporch Treasures is a great place to shop and a wonderful place to be a volunteer.

Matthews Help Center is a great organization helping 100's of people every year. In todays economy, its also a fantastic place to shop. You can get Brand name clothing for a fraction of the cost of regular retail stores and the selection and quality is remarkable. When I am tired of my clothing then I donate it back to them. Where else can you get a shirt from Lands End or Talbots for $3. and when they have a sale Ive paid as little as $1. for a shirt. Its fun to shop for other things too. They always have alot of books both hardback and paperback, housewares, shoes.purses, and seasonal decorations. When you shop there not only are you getting a great deal but you are also helping the community as well.
Back Porch Treasures, as it is appropriately named, is a large,clean, well lite facility as well as beautifully decorated and laid out so it makes sense. Matthews Help Center is always my first stop to shop when I am looking to add to my wardrobe, looking for something special, or in need of seasonal decorations.

We provide cash donations monthly through our church missions offering. We donate in the monthly 'urgent needs' of food, toiltries and office supplies; and seasonal oppertunities...back to school backpacks and adopt a family for christmas. During spring cleaning we take our gently used clothing, house hold items and toys the children have out grown to the thrift store. By attending events at the MHC I have had oppertunity to speak with staff members and board members. The board, staff and volenteers utilize resouces wisely. I know people that have received assistane from the MHC. By providing food, clothing and house hold items, the parents were able to use thier money for the house payment and remain in thier home.

Besides having totally enjoyable and fulfilling experiences volunteering once a week, the employees of the Matthews Help Center are top-notch people and dedicated workers. The volume of people served financially, and the volume of food, school supplies and Christmas toys distributed has tripled and quadrupled in the last few years, and the staff has been stretched, yet they have remained steadfast to the mission of helping families in our community. Our thrift boutique is a popular place to shop for clients and the public, donations are constantly coming in, and the sales from the shop have dramatically increased each year recently. The center is making a great impact for the community and the volunteers. I cannot say enough good things about the Matthews Help Center!

I volunteer in the Thrift Store...I am so impressed with this organization and the work that it does. The Store is more like a boutique than a thrift shop and people are waiting at the door on Saturday for us to open. I am also impressed with the amt of money the store brings in. The volunteers are truly dedicated to the help this center provides and all share a common goal for the Help Center to be successful. It is the most cheerful place I have ever worked...the volunteers, staff and shoppers always seem happy. I wouldn't change a thing about this experience.

Since I graduated high school early and didn't have a job, I decided to volunteer my time. I love shopping at the Matthews Help Center so I decided to volunteer there. I have greatly enjoyed working with the kind staff and other volunteers. I am critical of charities because I only want to give my time and money to those who directly benefit the community. The Matthews Help Center's services are invaluable to the large amount citizens who need their assistance.

I love volunteering at the Matthews HELP Center. The staff and volunteers are always so generous and welcoming - it's like a family. We cannot thank our loyal donors enough for their constant support which helps us to provide assistance to our neighbors in need. And our clients are cheerful and appreciative of not only the crisis assistance we provide, but the "treasures" that are available in our thrift boutique at affordable prices for those on a tight budget. My husband and I are so impressed with how efficiently the HELP Center is managed and with all the assistance they are able to provide through creative and effective programs (e.g. backpacks, partnership with the local farmers' market to provide fresh produce for the food pantry, and holiday family adoptions) that it has become our top priority charitable cause to support both financially and with our time.

I been at the Matthews Help Center for over 20 years. As times change so has the Matthews Help Center. The MHC serves more clients everyyear and is always innovative with new ways to serve in the community. What started as a way to raise money to assist local persons in need is now a bundle of services. Example: In the beginning it was Meals on Wheels-now School Back Packs have been added to help feed children in need over the weekend. I stay volunteering because I see the staff being prudent with funds but not stingy with those in need. Everyone is willing to go an extra mile to find the appropriate assistance for the clients that continue to come through the door.

I love to donate and shop at the Help Center Thrift Sore. I know the money that the Thrift Shop earns is used for those in need in our community. The store is staffed mainly by volunteers so the profits go to those in need.

I love visiting the little "help house" in Matthews , I remember when it was a much smaller facility on Main St. Always a fun, happy treat to spend time there, the stafff and volunteers are always friendly and helpful. I have purchased many "treaures" at the Help house and felt good knowing the proceeds were going back to help the community. I also feel good everytime I donate gently used items to the Help Center for resale, knowing the money from sales will be used to fill a dire need in the community. Thanks Matthews Help Center for all you do!
Sincerely,
Nancy Taggart

The Matthews Help Center does an amazing job of ministering to those who are experiencing a crisis in their lives. The staff is very committed and compassionate and treats each client with the respect they deserve. Volunteers are crucial to making the organization operate efficiently and effectively. The combination of the staff and volunteers truly make MHC "the house with a heart."

Matthews Help Center does amazing things with the money and donations they receive to help those in the community who need it. They provide the help a person needs, whether it's clothes and household necessities or food.

In this time of great economic distress, The Matthews Help Center responds to families in crisis with resources of financial assistance, clothing, food, additional referral sources and hope. Clients are no numbers, but welcomed guests into the 'house with a heart".

Dedicated volunteers work in the thrift shop which is the primary funding source for the Help Center. These volunteers come from every walk of life, every age and every econonic background, but all are joined in the quest to make life better for those in need.

The Matthews Help Center is a place of refuge for those in crisis and for those with a heart to serve others.

I was in need of Financial assistance, food, and clothing. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful, welcoming -- 10 star service. (Review entered by GreatNonprofits staff member from a paper review on behalf of the reviewer)

I shop here on a regular basis :) The staff are genuinely friendly and kind! The boutique is both Quaint and Charming! They always have a nice selection of items! They really put there heart and soul into making this little store a hidden gem! I just wish they were open just a tad bit later on Saturday's but I also do completely understand they are all volunteers running the show and they want their Saturday too :) I will continuously support the Matthews Help Center Love you Gals!!!!

Tell your story here and help others understand this charity There is the neatest little shop in the back of the Help Center. It has used items that can be purchased at reasonable prices for a one-income family. Everyone in there is so helpful and the shop is a pleasure to shop around in. You just never know what treasure you will find there! You just need to shop often. I also bring used items in to donate. I like keeping things local.

I had never been to a clinic before, they are the nicest people ever. Thay made you feel very comfortable even though you were in a bad situation. I couldn't pay the entire fee requested and they said it was OK. I never felt inferior and was so glad they were there to help me.

Matthews HELP Center is a truly amazing organization. It is called "The House with a Heart" and it truly is. Every staff person there is completely dedicated to the mission. They eat, sleep, and breathe helping people. It was an honor to help in some small way to make a difference in the lives of those in our community who find themselves in need. There but by the grace of God...