Jun 26, 2025

Community Collaborator: Helping Hands Ministries International

For the month of June, Helping Hands Ministries International has committed to supporting Vision House as their partner of the month! Stop to visit one of the four Helping Hands Thrift Stores in Snohomish County (Bothell, Clearview, Lake Stevens, and Monroe, Washington) this month, shop to support their projects and community partners, and round up your purchase price to donate to Vision House! After operating our own Vision House thrift store for so many years, we are grateful for ministries like Helping Hands who continue to serve the community and positively impact the planet with environmentally sound practices.

Helping Hands Ministries International is a nonprofit organization with four thrift stores in Snohomish County that benefit underserved people both locally and worldwide. Their thrift stores offer an opportunity for low-cost goods, direct fundraising for community partners and their sister organization in Peru through their register fundraisers, job opportunities, and landfill reduction.

Serving Local Ministries to Support our Local Community

Helping Hands Ministries recently partnered with Vision House through their gift card program, donating stacks of $25 thrift store gift cards for Vision House to distribute to residents and at Diversion Centers. Those who receive the gift cards can then visit any of Helping Hands’  four thrift stores and select whatever they may need including clothes, shoes, furniture, small appliances, and home goods.  In 2024, the Helping Hands Gift Card Program provided needy families and individuals with over $51,950 worth of gift cards.

Register Donations at Checkout Support Non-Profit Partners like Vision House

The thrift stores increase their fundraising capabilities through direct donations made at the point of sale. Shoppers have the opportunity to donate at the register at checkout, by rounding up to the nearest dollar, or donating a set amount on top of their purchase price.  Each month, Helping Hands chooses a community partner to highlight, and at the end of the month, all proceeds from the fundraiser go to the partner of the month. Informational materials are placed at the counter, so shoppers can learn more about the organization, and serve as another way to broaden the reach of each partner.

Serving International Partners and Communities in Peru

With a heart for and knowledge of Peru and the underserved communities there, Helping Hands has supported thousands of people suffering in poverty around the world. Through The Help Project, Helping Hands is impacting Peruvian communities through a preschool ministry (Amor en Acción Preschool), six sewing centers, a clean water project, and international disaster relief efforts.

About Helping Hands Ministries International

Helping Hands was started in 1992 by Vance Field after he and his wife, Faith, returned from 17 years on the mission field in Peru. They found an old wooden building in Bothell, and with what he calls a band of supporters, and a lot of love, the Helping Hands thrift store opened and started serving the community, with proceeds going to fund social service and faith-based projects in both Peru and the local community. The thrift stores serve as the collection point for donated goods; since the opening of the Bothell shop in 1992, Helping Hands has opened thrift stores in Clearview, Lake Stevens, and Monroe, Washington.

Helping Hands Ministries focuses on five Pillars of Service:

  • Fighting Hunger:  The heartbreaking statistic is that 44 million people face hunger in the U.S. yearly. At Helping Hands, we are dedicated to supporting our local food banks and other programs that get food into the hands of the hungry.
  • Homeless Outreach:  Countless folks live without housing, shelter, and other essential needs in our communities.  Outreach to the unhoused is vitally important to us and to the partners we support.
  • Addiction Recovery:  Addiction is a reality that touches many lives and hearts. We partner with organizations that help people overcome their addictions and get back on their feet.
  • Moms and Kids Support:  We’re grateful to partner with organizations that care for women facing unexpected pregnancies and hard times, as well as children who are facing neglect, abuse, and transitioning to foster care.
  • Environmental Stewardship:  Our thrift stores keep reusable items out of landfill to sell what’s gently used. We have a large volunteer base that works in our recycling program behind the scenes every week.

All four thrift store locations are open Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.