community impact

The Shepherd’s Hand, Inc.


2024 Year End Report

      It has been quite a year of transition, which makes us even more glad to be able to offer such a positive report on where we stand


today. As I write this I think particularly of one woman who joined a Christian recovery program in our region. To watch, over the past


few months, her transition from crisis to Christ has been truly a precious gift for many of us here.


      We have weathered two primary leadership transitions, with founder Garey Martinez resigning in March in the midst of health


concerns, and successor Abbie Brewer resigning in November. Staff and board members have left, yet new staff and board members


have been added. It appears that we are now at the cusp of a new season of stability and growth. Yes, the players have changed, but the


vision of The Shepherd’s Hand is the same as when it was founded: “providing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the poor


and homeless in the Montrose community.”


      In order to better fulfill our original mission, “to provide individuals and families with a safe environment, to provide food, clothing, a


shower, clothes washing facilities, temporary emergency housing, and assistance in transitioning to employment and life ‘off the


streets,’” we have enlisted both a volunteer coordinator and a “solutions specialist.” Our volunteer coordinator organizes and cares for


the volunteers who offer help not merely in the kitchen, but in a wide variety of services. Our “solutions specialist” offers outreach


ministry, counseling, and community relations to help our guests and those in the community who help our guests and others in need.



During 2024 The Shepherd’s Hand provided the following services:


  • Hot meals served on site – 16,869
  • Hot meals delivered to shut-ins through our partnership with Region 10 – 9,847
  • Boxes of food handed to households through our pantry program – 3,032
  • Hot showers – 1,650
  • Loads of laundry processed – 560
  • Clothing and other necessities distributed – over 1500 items
  • Financial assistance (emergency


Furthermore, through our services:

  • 18 individuals and/or families have obtained housing.
  • 54 people have either been referred to or gained employment.
  • 5 individuals have joined recovery programs.
  • At least 300 people have received crisis counseling, 20 of whom were further referred to local therapists when appropriate.
  • 

We continue to maintain partnerships with over twenty agencies in the area.


The Shepherd’s Hand can provide these services because of the many volunteers and financial contributions of individuals, businesses, churches and foundations.

Matthew 25: 35-36, 40: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."