Local non-profit hopes to feed 450 families this holiday season
MCHENRY COUNTY – When he’s not at his day job, Mike Lyp can be found volunteering his free time, figuring out different ways to provide basic, essential needs to those that are less fortunate. What began as a mission to become more involved locally within the community, quickly grew into an idea that would change the lives of many for the better.
In 2019, Lyp founded Helping Hands and Caring Hearts (HHCH), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to get involved wherever the need is for those that do not have the means to obtain meals.
While still a fairly new organization, HHCH was able to provide 300 turkeys within three local towns this past Thanksgiving.
“I have always wanted to do the turkey donation thing, and hoped that one year I would be able to do it. The turn out was astronomical. There wasn’t a huge need in Huntley, but we did pass out about 130 turkeys in Elgin, and Marengo had the biggest need for food. There were about 120 families who showed up for the two-hour food pantry where we passed out the turkeys. It really inspires me to continue to push to do more,” Lyp said.
For December, HHCH has a goal to feed 450 families as Lyp explained, “this holiday season last year, we helped 75 families and thought that was great. We plan to hand out food Saturday, December 19 at Nikos Red Mill Tavern. We’re still working on securing a place to hand out food in Elgin and we will be handing out more food on December 20 at the First Presbyterian Church of Marengo.”
The holidays are not exclusive to HHCH’s charitable efforts, however. When not helping at soup kitchens or supporting other local organizations with any of their fundraising events, HHCH also hosts a free Veteran’s Day BBQ lunch at the American Legion in Huntley. Though because of the pandemic, Lyp stated that HHCH will likely host an additional BBQ lunch to make up for those that were not able to attend the initial lunch due to the limit of people allowed to gather.
Currently, Lyp states that HHCH remains active mostly on Facebook, but anyone interest in volunteering with this nonprofit or simply wanting to make a donation can do so at hhchearts.com.
“Right now, we are looking for groups to collect [food] and also assist with handing out food and toys and also doing food drives to help us hit our goal. You know, one thing I can say to others thinking about ways to help the community, is to get involved in an organization with a cause that you believe in,” Lyp said. “I had this guy come up to me when we were doing our turkey drive, and he had a box truck, and he asked if there was any way that he can help. He was in tears when he saw the lines of cars of people waiting to get food. He said he was glad he was able to open up and help the community.”
If anyone is in need of a meal or knows of someone in need of a meal, individuals can fill out a meal request form on HHCH’s website. Monetary donations can also be made via PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle all linked to [email protected].
