Delco Helping Hands Begins With a Simple Facebook Request

Eight years ago, what began as a project on Facebook has evolved into a distributor of essential non-food items for numerous families and an expanded Café of Kindness, all credited to one individual: Pauline Butcher.

However, Butcher swiftly points out that the concept was hers but expresses gratitude toward her team, which comprises Kristin Miller, Arianna Gutridge, Melissa Minor, Katelyn Boyd, Maryanne Moore, Amanda Hawkins, and Ashley Evans.

I created a Facebook page back in 2017," Butcher explained. "It was mainly intended for individuals like myself who required various resources. Like where can one find the nearest food bank? Or places offering childcare assistance? That sort of thing.

For some time, she mentioned, it was inconsistent.

Then, COVID hit.

People really struggled," Butcher stated. "So, we organized a homelessness initiative. We spread the word: 'Let's lend a hand. Most of us can fend for ourselves, yet the homeless are suffering more as support systems have vanished. They're left wondering what their next step should be.'

Next, they learned about a woman escaping an abusive household scenario.

“She mentioned that they quickly filled their apartment with all her necessities by posting on the same Facebook page.”

Following that, they discovered a 14-year-old who became pregnant but kept it a secret from everyone.

“Within 24 hours, that child had everything that baby needed from the time that baby was born till the time that baby was 2-years-old,” Butcher said.

Finally, the formula shortage forced the effort to find a standing location outside of Facebook.

Delco Helping Hands, which officially became a non-profit three years ago, now features a Community Pantry that provides non-food essentials such as baby formula, diapers, pet food, and teen, senior citizen and home necessities and the Cafe of Kindness.

Both are held at the Prospect United Methodist Church, 100 Lincoln Ave. in Prospect Park.

The pantry is open 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and generally serves 45 to 60 families. The cafe is new and the next one is 6 to 8 p.m. May 12.

Pauline Butcher, a 10-year Walmart employee, founded Delco Helping Hands to help those who were in her shoes not too long ago. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY – DAILY TIMES)

“Because there’s food banks everywhere, we don’t give out food,” Butcher said of the Community Pantry. “We do baby formula, pet food, toilet paper, body wash. Things that people who get food stamps, there’s no money for.”

She also spoke about the Cafe of Kindness, where people are invited to come to talk about what they like, from gardening to sharing recipes to books and more.

A single individual visited last week solely for the experience.

She simply found out about us," she explained. "She feels, 'I just want to connect with people.'

That's exactly what the café embodies: connection.

“(It’s) a safe place for people to come and have people to talk to,” Butcher said, adding there’s even a book swap for those who enjoy reading. “It was just something because people keep posting they don’t have friends, they don’t have anybody to talk to when they’re depressed. There’s no village anymore for a lot of people.

“One of our biggest mottos is ‘It Takes a Village,’ ” she added. “It truly does.”

She recalled being there not long ago herself.

Pauline Butcher, second from right, with members of the Delco Helping Hands team. Not all are pictured but the team includes Kristin Miller, Arianna Gutridge, Melissa Minor, Katelyn Boyd, Maryanne Moore, Amanda Hawkins and Ashley Evans. (COURTESY OF DELCO HELPING HANDS)

“When my kids were younger, I was in them shoes,” Butcher said. “I didn’t have a big village but I was always blessed at Christmas times, on birthdays, when I didn’t have it, an angel always appeared. I just want to be that solution for somebody else.”

Butcher remembers the time when she faced homelessness with her kids in a motel for six weeks, right up until her daughter battled suicidal tendencies during adolescence and her son grappled with substance abuse issues.

“I’ve been homeless., I’ve stood in the food bank lines,” she said. “Who am I to judge anyone? … I’ve been there … Anything can happen anywhere and tomorrow can change a lot of things for a lot of people.”

Her 22-year-old daughter, Butcher added, is healthy now and has two children of her own and her 31-year-old son is 70 days clean.

She ensured she mentioned that she couldn't manage it alone as she expressed her gratitude to both her volunteer crew and her employer, Walmart, having been with the company for ten years now.

“She mentioned that without this support, she would not be capable of doing much," referring to her association with Walmart. "Because it allows her to make ends meet and even assist others... Walmart has truly been a boon. Our store manager also contributes donated items to our food pantry. Both Eddystone and Boothwyn have awarded us grants."

Butcher mentioned that a colleague came along with her granddaughter to volunteer as well.

Several items available at the Community Pantry feature baby formula. It provides essential non-food items on a weekly basis. (COURTESY OF DELCO HELPING HANDS)

Delco Helping Hands is currently working on assembling a resource binder that will contain contact details for numerous services capable of addressing an array of distinct requirements.

Earlier this week, the nonprofit emerged as the victor in The Foundation for Delaware County’s Spread the Word Challenge. This initiative preceded Delco Gives Day on May 8-9, encouraging people from the community to contribute funds to numerous nonprofits.

One of the most important aspects is 'Come as you are and leave as a friend,'" Butcher stated. "We don’t make judgments... Everybody is welcome.

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