.png)
Las Animas Helping Hands Celebrates 20 Years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Description: Courtesy Photo... Press Play to Watch the Video...
Las Animas Helping Hands Celebrates 20 Years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Las Animas, CO—For 20 years, Las Animas Helping Hands has been a lifeline for Bent County, one of Colorado’s top five poorest counties. What started in 2004 as a grassroots volunteer effort has evolved into a vital community resource, ensuring families stay fed, warm, and supported during challenging times.
"A lot of times people know what they need—they just need a little assistance. “That’s why we’re here." said Sharon Barber, Executive Director of Las Animas Helping Hands. 20 years ago, a prayer request for a family whose utilities were going to be shut off kept Barber up at night. “I just knew I needed to do something.”
Now the organization’s weekly food pantry, monthly USDA Commodities distribution, and utilities assistance programs serve as a critical safety net for families across the region.
The food pantry serves an average of 342 people each week—14% of Las Animas’ population—while the USDA Commodities program reaches one in four households in Las Animas and one in seven in Bent County.
Since 2004, Helping Hands has paid nearly $700,000 in utility costs, keeping the heat and lights on for about 15 families each month. “Two-thirds of that money stays local, going directly to Las Animas Municipal Utilities,” according to board member and Bent County Commissioner Kim MacDonnell.
The need in Bent County is profound. According to the Department of Local Affairs, it is one of the top five poorest counties in Colorado, with 80% of students in the local school district qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Helping Hands serves as a safety net for families facing impossible choices between food, heat, and other basic necessities.
"This town needs the money. This service needs the money," said one client. For Diana Vargas, Helping Hands became more than just a place to find support—it became a mission. "I started as a client many moons ago. It took me a while to even ask for help, but you can’t sit there and let your kids go hungry.”
"Because Sharon opened her heart to me, I wanted to give the same to others. Now, I help make them feel comfortable when they’re here." Vargas now serves on the organization’s board and leads the food pantry every Monday. “If you don’t have family, it’s hard. So we try to be family to some of the people that are out here.”
There are countless stories like Vargas’, of people who came to Helping Hands for assistance and stayed to give back as volunteers. With more than 30 active volunteers contributing over 6,000 hours this year alone, the organization operates entirely on the dedication of neighbors helping neighbors.
“When you live in a small town, you know each other. You interact all the time,” said Barber. “It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.”
Watch the Video:
About Las Animas Helping Hands
Founded in 2004, Las Animas Helping Hands is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity and providing critical assistance to families in Bent County, Colorado. Its core programs include a weekly food pantry, monthly USDA Commodities distribution, and utility assistance. The organization also offers assistance for rent, transportation, and non-controlled prescription medications on a case-by-case basis. To learn more about Las Animas Helping Hands or to make a donation, visit lasanimashelpinghands.org.
