May 2023

what's new at ghhc

God's Hygiene Help Center's focus is sharing The Word along with giving out needed hygiene and cleaning items.  GHHC wants to stay in line with our vision of providing dignity and hope through hygiene to those in need with the compassion of Jesus.  It is about developing a relationship and providing a choice of hygiene to our clients, not just handing out a bag of products.  With Project Dash, we had no direct connection to our clients receiving  orders so we discontinued that program.    Our staff is hoping to set up our own delivery service while offering prayer later this year.

We are reaching out to other area ministries about starting  an outreach to children in the Linden area sharing Jesus and hygiene.  ​


The Linden Market located at 1464 Cleveland Avenue in South Linden, provides a choice of free produce daily to their market members.  Their staff has been begging God's Hygiene Help Center to provide some hygiene to their clients.  In June we will send 2 volunteers every month to give out hygiene at The Linden Market.  Clients will will receive hand sanitizer plus have a choice of toilet paper, laundry detergent or body wash.  We can also provide free Bibles and prayer.

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amazing prayer gathering

Trina Oates shared a very inspiring message on "Darkness" on May 2.  Thank you to Kristie who shared her notes.  What was most amazing is that a man came to GHHC that day needing resources, and he stayed for the Prayer Gathering. Tony was able to be prayed over and the message through God's Word was especially for him that day.  He got fed The Word plus lunch.

Jesus knows about darkness. (Luke 44:46). The hopelessness darkness brings,  the uncertainty and fear it brings. But things are not as they seem to be. The darkness can bring a blessing in disguise.
What do we do when darkness invades our life? How do we overcome? Trials and tribulations, hardships and sorrows, through it all God is working. (God calls the light into being Genesis 1:3) God made a way where there was no way! God does for us what we were unable to do.
Nothing is too hard for God! 
God had a plan.
Jesus is our present help in times if trouble.
He demonstrated His complete trust in the Father Luke 23:45
We can trust God our Father, too.

Thank you Trina for sharing this message with all of us.  We hold the monthly Prayer Gathering the first Tuesday of every month at 1 pm at 1402 OAKLAND PARK. 

st. stephen's outreach

Tammy had a table with free community resources which we share with our clients at this St. Stephen's Mother's Day event.  She passed out free Buckeye Health phone chargers, Cheryl's Cookies, Bibles, and invitations to our monthly Prayer Gathering.  All the speakers quoted scripture.  The doctor who shared the main message with the title "Get Your House in Order"--through prayer, networking and spiritually, The staff at St. Stephen's told her they really want to partner with God's Hygiene Help Center.  Tammy replied that GHHC does not want to just give  out hygiene products, we want to also share about God's love with people.  They said, "We are all about God here!"  So as soon as our Executive Board can work out the process, GHHC will start handing out hygiene and God's Word at St. Stephen's.  
If you have been looking for an opportunity to volunteer to pray with someone, this may be just the place for you.  Please contact Kathryn Farrar at executivedirector@godshygiene.org or complete a simple volunteer application on our website.  
The next day Tammy received two phone calls asking  for help looking for resources.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.  Psalm 145

one linden outreach

While the parents were registering, Lisa handed out our paper with  hours we are open and invitations to our monthly Prayer Gathering, ​God's Hygiene Help Center registered to be one of the Linden organizations sharing resources at the Spring into Summer neighborhood event.  Lisa, Diane and Candace volunteered to staff our table.  We provided crayons at our table and gave  Prayer Journals for students to  color.  GHHC was blessed that these children's journals  were donated to GHHC by Upper Arlington Lutheran Church.  This is the perfect use for them.  
We talked with the librarian from the Linden branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library.  They want to partner with us and have space there for us.  In the summer a number of children and homeless hang out at the library to stay cool and get lunch.
There were a lot of families there.  We shared free community resources with the parents and offered them hand sanitizer.  Each family could choose a small Blessing Bag. 
Candace prayed with 7 people.  We  gave away 5 Bibles. The kids were amazing.  One young boy opened his prayer journal and started coloring and talking away to "Grandma Lisa".  
Lisa shared with another boy  B that God loves you.  He replied, "God hates *#% and I kiss boys."
Lisa says, "That's why we're here.  God does love you."
B:  He really loves me? 
Lisa:  Yes!  I'll pray for you.
She hugged him and he rejoined his friends.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:9-10

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clean start baskets

When Paul Sparks of the Kindway/Embark program contacted Tammy that he needed a men's basket on Tuesday for a man being released, Amber who is usually the first to arrive at the Help Center, was happy to get right on the project.  

This is a shout out to Amber Bennett.  It was her very first time packing a Clean Start Basket. She is a super volunteer and a super person all the way around as one of our fabulous Linden Angels.  #where the love of Jesus wins.

Tammy has developed a relationship with some of the employees at Kroger at East North Broadway.  The floral department donates their unused flower buckets to GHHC and Tammy provides a hug, prayer and hygiene to those in need,  One woman named Tiffany is going through a divorce.  Her husband only left her with a toothbrush.  So Tammy asked our executive director about helping her out with a Clean Start Basket.  Kathryn said, "Yes, if we have it, give her whatever she needs."  

​Thank you to those wonderful supporters who have donated extra items such as dishes, pots and pans which we can place in the Clean Start Baskets.  

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new business partners

 Karen Dawson, of CareSource, reached out to our staff about the possibility of partnering with God's Hygiene Help Center.  Kathryn Farrar, our Executive Director, talked with Karen how we could work together for the benefit of our clients.  On May 9 she brought nearly 100 toothbrushes to give out to our clients.  Karen will begin sharing with our clients about CareSource twice a month beginning in June.

We have been referring clients to the food pantry at The Salvation Army on Karl Road.  They told Tammy that they appreciate all that we do to help provide dignity to the community.  So they  asked to partner with God's Hygiene Help Center.  Every Tuesday they will bring their food truck to the 1414 Oakland Park parking lot.  Our GHHC volunteers, neighbors and Phoenix clients can get free lunch.  Thank you Salvation Army for serving us!  On May 23 we got our first free lunch--chicken sandwich, choice of chips and bottled water served by Ray Valdez of the Worthington Salvation Army.

For the list of all our community and business partners, click on the Projects tab.  We are thankful to work with our wonderful partners so that we can better serve our clients.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

thank you's from medina sober living clients

I asked David, our wonderful GHHC volunteer who has graduated from the Medina Sober Living program if any clients would like to let us know how God's Hygiene has helped their lives.  The next week we received several thank you letters.  What they wrote is in their own words and spelling.  

I was stuck in abusive relationship & really  bad on Drugs.  I couldnt seam to find a way out.  Until I reached out for help through Ohio Guidestone.  So they sent me to Stepping Stones in Portsmouth.  I did 100 days there and came back to Columbus to Minerva/Medina.  and 3 days after I came they gave me a sheet of paper (GHHC Client Order Form) to fill out.  and told me to pick 6 items.  Im really gratful for the items you guys donated.  I was able to clean my cloths, house, shave, etc.  thank you!

Dear God's Hygine, Thank for everything you've helped me out with I came in with nothing and you guys have helped me get through. I was one of the worst addicts out there I'm from the westside (Bottoms). I was on fentanyl and meth.  I used for over 15 years until Jan 20 of this year. I was sick and tired of being tired and sick and also I was tired of being a piece of s*#*  dad and I hit my rock bottom, but now Im sober and have been for 4 months and 5 days. thanks for your support.

My name is Tara.  I have been struggling with addiction for most of my life.  I was in a very abusive relationship which led me into the hospital.  While I was withdrawing a case worker gave me the option to go to Minerva.  There I completed successfully and moved into Medina.  Coming here with no money was stressful.  I want to thank you guys for everything that you do.  It truly helps me and others here.

We appreciate all the stuff you guys give to us it relly helps when you dont have money to buy thaings that you need for your house

My father was an alcoholic and it destroyed our family.  I promised myself that I would never follow in his footsteps.  Now, 40 yrs later I am fighting the same battle.  I tried to stop drinking on my own but I could not.  The obsession to drink was relentless.  I tried to remain sober "one day at a time."  It did not work.  I tried 12 step programs and they did not help.
It wasn't until I asked God to intervine that I found peace.  By Gods will and not my own I realized I was not alone in this world.  Today I do not drink.  But more importantly I walk w/ God every day w/the power of prayer.  

Dear Alcohol, 
Goodbye good ridence, this toxic relationship has run it's course.  you've tried to blindside me into thinking that you were all i needed while slowly sending me to an early grave.  Each day without you I've grown stronger, the voice inside my head telling me to run back to you is merely a faint whisper of desperation the more steps i take towards the light from the dark depths of despair, my old comfort, a familiar destination.  BUT NO MORE!  You have drove long enough Im done being sick as *#&%!  Im now controlling this ride sass get used to the trunk.  My name is __________- and I'am Enough!

I have been struggling with addiction for 10 years.  5 months ago I entered into drug and alcohol treatment for the last time with nothing but the clothes on my back.  Throughout the journey I have entered into a relationship with GOD.  I have found that I cannot stay sober without GOD.  Places like GOD'S HYGIENE are proof to me that GOD is real and that with Him I will always be taken care of.  I am so grateful today for the kindness and compassion shown to me by the volunteers at God's Hygiene.