FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the mission of the Hands of Christ?

The Mission of the Hands of Christ is to bring Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations together to meet the basic needs of children, showing them Christ's love at the start of each school year by providing school supplies and clothing and also doing so on an emergency basis throughout the school year.

Where do we serve?

Our distributions currently take place in 5 counties in eastern South Carolina: Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Williamsburg counties.

Who do we serve?

The ages we serve vary by site, all are K4-5th grade, those in Charleston County also serve through 8th grade.

What are the requirements to be served?

There is no testing of need. If you think that we can help you, we will. Each child must be present to be served an accompanied by a responsible adult. There are no citizenship or faith requirements for those we serve.

What percentage of the budget goes to helping children directly?

As we are a fully volunteer organization with no paid employees and Westminster Presbyterian Church kindly donates space for us to use, our overhead is very low (government fees, internet costs, publicity, etc.). Thus ~95% of donations go to purchase clothing and school supplies.

How can a PCUSA congregation join?

We welcome any and all individuals. Congregations may support our effort by providing any or all of the following: volunteers, financial resources (special offerings and/or line-item budget donations), and in-kind gifts of clothing or school supplies. To become a distribution there must be adequate space, a commitment to provide volunteers, and a one-year training period where you shadow one or more distribution sites to learn the process.

Can other denominations participate?

They can by partnering with one of our member congregations. We often have volunteers from near-by congregations help out at our distributions.

Are gifts to the Hands of Christ tax deductible?

Yes. We are a 501(c)(3) organization as designated by the IRS. We are incorporated in the State of South Carolina. We are a validated ministry of Charleston Atlantic Presbytery of the PC(USA).