DECATUR — For 23 years, Helping Hands Ministries has been a resource for those in need.
Decatur residents Nico Baballo shops at the Helping Hands Ministry in Decatur. Baballo came to the area to help his ailing father, but later found he also needed help, which led him to the group.
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Helping Hands Ministry began 23 years ago, providing food sacks to those in need. It has grown to provide provide food and other household items.
Helping Hands Ministry's Love Bags help students with needed food for the weekend.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: 25 photos of Decatur churches through the years
History Corner: A Look Back
1971: Trumpeters, from left, Ron Meadows and Marlin Wilson performed at the Christmas Cantata at Grace United Methodist Church.
History Corner: A Look Back
1915: The Decatur Canning Club members at Illini Church.
History Corner: A Look Back
1971: "The Delegation," a singing group sponsored by Foursquare Church, entertains students and adult guests at Woodrow Wilson School.
History Corner: A Look Back
1994: Relatives of Ralph Wilkes and Dorianne Warnsley sit in a memorial service at St. Patrick Catholic Church as a banner with the names of the 21 people who were murdered in Decatur in 1993 and 1994 passes down the aisle. The service was held following the 100th day of "Stop the Violence" marches through Decatur streets, led by Youth Empowerment Agency volunteers and march organizer Betsy Stockard.
History Corner: A Look Back
1989: Sharon Middleton shows the quilt that was given away during a quilt show at Grace United Methodist Church.
History Corner: A Look Back
1965: Dr. Paul L. McKay, right, Millikin University president, presents an honorary doctor of law degree to the Rt. Rev. Msgr. George H. Powell, pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
History Corner: A Look Back
1968: Escorted by police, a crowd of 150 marched down Decatur Street to the Church of the Living God for War on Poverty march.
History Corner: A Look Back
1988: Evelyn Maurizio looks on, 8-month-old Blake Grimmett plays with a few of the items to be offered at the South Shores United Methodist Church bazaar, 125 South Shores Drive.
History Corner: A Look Back
1931: Grace United Methodist Church Missionary Society quilting party.
History Corner: A Look Back
1939: St. Paul Methodist Church former pastors and their wives include Revs. and Mrs. Joseph C. Brown of Aroma Park; Clyde R. Booth of Mattoon; Henry F. Powell of Taylorville; Charles S. Boyd of Orion; and Virgil Thompson of Fletcher, Ohio. The Rev. J. E. Tuschhoff, present pastor, and his wife are shown at extreme right.
History Corner: A Look Back
1941: Grace United Methodist Church officials, left to right are Harvey A. Sellers Sr., Charles F. Evans, David E. Stouffer, builder of the church, Dr. Iver M. Johnson, J.S. McClelland, Orville F. Gibson, Chess Lupton and Herman Vandine.
History Corner: A Look Back
1988: Bill Horton, left, playing the part of a soloist, receives singing advice from Bruce Gibbons, as George Frederick Handel, in "A Manger for the Messiah," First United Church Madrigal dinner.
History Corner: A Look Back
1994: Rachel Howard, 5, distributes three-foot-high crosses on the front lawn of Moundford Free Methodist Church. An adult volunteer said members of the congregation hope to post 1,100 such crosses as symbols of the number of abortions performed weekly in Illinois.
History Corner: A Look Back
1992: Many of the pioneer Garvers are buried near the Garver Brick Church, built by family members.
History Corner: A Look Back
1990: The handbell choir of Grace United Methodist Church performs for a national audience.
History Corner: A Look Back
1950: United Methodist Church, W. Grand.
History Corner: A Look Back
1988: Michael, left, and David Over shop at Christ United Methodist Church's Kiddie Mini Bazaar room. The special room, where kids can shop alone and get free gift wrapping, is part of the church's bazaar.
History Corner: A Look Back
1992: United Methodist Church volunteer evangelists team to Russia are clockwise from bottom left, Jean Williams, Maureen Tully, Jennifer Stout, Mary Catherine Robertson, Terry Engling, Norman Hawbaker, Doug Bishop, Rex Parvin, Deborah Boles, Donna Dare, Joyce Hawbaker, Tim Haworth and Jerry Jones stand around the Russian flag after returning from an evangelical mission trip to Russia.
History Corner: A Look Back
1988: Mike Sommer and Justine Erlenbusch relax Friday while Bob King Excavation does the work leveling the old Union Bus Depot on the corner of West Main and South Church streets. The corner will be converted into a parking lot for he YMCA.
History Corner: A Look Back
1964: The Rev. Father Keith E. Ulrich, S.J. was among 13 persons ordained March 18 into the Jesuit order at St. Ignatius Church in Tokyo. Here he is congratulated by brothers James, left, and Laurence.
History Corner: A Look Back
1977: Mary Barnett of the Illinois Department of Public Health administers a hearing test to Michelle Benson, 3, Thursday in the Macon United Methodist Church. The test was part of a series of diagnostic screenings being conducted for preschool children in various locations.
History Corner: A Look Back
1980: The House of Prayer is both a home and a church.
History Corner: A Look Back
1951: Demolition of the old Gasaway house at 348 North Church street began today to enlarge a parking lot on the southeast corner of Church and North streets.The 70 to 80-year-old house has only had three tenants during its life, and is probably the last remaining one-family building used as a residence that close to the downtown area. The seven-room brick structure was built by Peter Loeb, a one-time foundry owner who died in 1904.
History Corner: A Look Back
1994: Students at Northwest Christian Church squealed with delight as the winner and loser of the Kiss-A-Pig contest were announced. Students voted by contributing money to their favorite candidate. The $365 raised went toward uniforms for the school basketball team. Drawing the most votes, to the tune of $122.77, was teacher Scott Brown; the least was Cindy Morse with $1.25. However, the first to plant a kiss on the snout of a Hampshire piglet held by Greg Durbin was WSOY Radio personality Dean Yianas. He bet on the Bears in their game against the Vikings and had to kiss up.
History Corner: A Look Back
This undated photo shows the home at 561 N. Church St. in Decatur. In 1874, the Enos Pratt family moved to Decatur and acquired the home on North Church Street. It was the home of Miss Abbie Pratt until her death in 1940. She left the property to Florence Shade. The 1954 city directory lists its owner as Herbert L. Moore.
Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
Donnette Beckett
"Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter
