About
HOURS: TUESDAY – FRIDAY 10 AM - 5 PM, SATURDAY 9 AM - 4 PM | CLOSED SUN, MON & MAJOR HOLIDAYS
MISSION STATEMENT
A Hand up to Survive… and Thrive.
Ginny’s Helping Hand offers our neighbors a place to receive basic needs while giving our community a place to support this valuable mission of improving the lives of those we serve.
OUR STORY
Three decades of serving North Central Massachuetts.
When individuals and families are struggling to obtain life’s necessities, Ginny’s Helping Hands, provides a “Hand Up,” when challenged with food, clothing, and shelter. In fact, that’s the reason why our founder, Ginny White, opened this organization: Ginny wanted to ensure that no one in our neighborhood is hungry, cold or without place to live.
When Ginny first began providing services in North Central Massachusetts in 1978, she welcomed nine to 11 families daily. Today, as our nation experiences food, housing and utility increases, Ginny’s Helping Hand is experiencing a higher than usual number of people in our communities needing help.
In calendar year 2024, the needs in North Central Massachusetts more than doubled, as we served more than 53,000 guests, with approximately 17,900 households—an increase of more than 22,000 guests and 7,500 households when compared to 2023. As a sad reality, some of our guests who were financially stable a year ago, are now having to reevaluate their budgets to accommodate for the rising costs of obtaining basic needs.
Today – Ginny’s Helping Hand serves 53,000 guests, with approximately 17,900 households.
OUR HISTORY
Ginny’s Helping Hand over the years.
October 1978
Ginny White launched Ginny’s Helping Hand(s) on Lancaster Street in Leominster to provide clothes, shoes, and other necessities to people in need. Ginny liked to say that the organization was for people who want “a hand up, not a handout.” That mantra continues to this day.
1980
Ginny White began the Food Pantry serving nine to eleven families, daily. As the need grew, Ginny expanded the pantry to provide meals and groceries to people of all ages and backgrounds, who were having trouble making ends meet.
1985
With the help of a growing cadre of volunteers, Ginny White moved the growing organization to a much larger facility where it remains to this day. The extra space allowed her to open a two-floor Thrift Store to generate revenue that would: a) support the Food Pantry; and b) provide highly affordable necessities for the community.
2013
Ginny White retires but her work continues with the Food Pantry and Thrift Store. Ginny’s Helping hand partners with other community organizations and departments to provide funds for temporary shelter, fuel assistance, and free furniture, housewares, clothing, and toiletries to survivors of fires, floods, domestic violence, and other crises. Ginny’s began providing Holiday Food Baskets every November and December, along with Christmas gifts for children in need.
March 2020
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Food Pantry at Ginny’s Helping Hand (an essential service provider) devised a new contactless system to provide much needed groceries five days a week, while keeping staff, volunteers, and guests safe and healthy.
March 2021
Ginny’s Thrift Store reopened full-time, with one floor dedicated to clothes, shoes, accessories, bedding, towels, and curtains.
Today
Ginny’s Helping Hand serves 53,000 guests, with approximately 17,900 households.
Financial Documents
Ginny’s Helping Hand leadership is dedicated to strong governance, legal compliance, and organizational integrity, working to advance its mission and ensure long-term sustainability for members, donors, and supporters.
View our financial documents: