Mission Statement
Our Mission
We believe that no infant in Shenandoah County should go hungry or lack the basic essentials to be comfortable. And so our mission is to provide formula, food, diapers and baby essentials to young infants in times of need.
We are committed to: remaining focused on the smallest and the most vulnerable, infants at risk for long-term harm from inadequate nutrition and hygiene, certain that they are never to blame for the crisis they are experiencing; supplying help at no cost, and in a manner that will encourage people to return; doing what we can to support people and connect them with other helping agencies; being good stewards of the goods, time, money and help donated to us - by ensuring that those assisted are in need and by keeping our costs to the minimum required to safeguard quality and professionalism.
Our Goals
That our infants will not develop the deficits and difficulties caused by food insecurity, malnutrition and a lack of baby essentials during their first few years of life.
To lift from our parents some of the burden of raising children in financially insecure circumstances, so that they can focus more on enjoying and nurturing their child.
To ensure that parents have the goods they need to place their child in childcare, so that they can take advantage of opportunities for further study and work in order to build a more secure economic future for their family.
Description
A Small Hand is a specialist pantry for infants (newborn - 36 months), stocking Formula, Baby Foods and age-appropriate nutritious foods for toddlers and small children. All of our families are low-income households, many are living in poverty. In addition to food, we stock diapers and wet-wipes and other essentials (feeding bottles, wash/shampoo, sippy cups, pacifiers, teething rings) which families cannot use their Food Stamps/SNAP or WIC vouchers to buy. We maintain a stock of gently-used clothing, blankets, towels etc. - items that help free up more money for food in the days ahead.
A band of generous crafters has kept us supplied with blankets, quilts, hats, mittens and scarves - these are highly valued by our parents.
We open every Thursday (except Thanksgiving) from 9-11 in the morning and from 5-7 in the evening. Parents come when they are in need, and are supplied with a full week of formula, food and diapers, and can select what they need from our stock.
