When you head to the website of Harvest Compassion Center in Chandler Arizona, you’ll find these beautiful phrases: “Engage Together Within Our Community,” and “Make a Difference.”
This week, as we have done previously, we want to highlight something local to us in the East Valley.
Although Stewardship is not a faith-based non-profit, our values and core beliefs are taken from the Bible. Our mission to “love people through finances” is something we believe Jesus has asked of us. As a result, we have a special place in our hearts for local organizations that have a similar world view. This is one of many reasons why we love Harvest Compassion Center.
Origin
The Harvest Compassion Center was started in 2004 in memory of Bob and Gay Swaback’s son, Mitch. You can read his story HERE. The Chandler branch in Gilbert, AZ was launched by the lead pastor of Christ Church, Adam Bailie.
Adam met the Swabacks and saw the way they were serving their community and wanted to begin something similar. Through a generous gift from a donor in the East Valley, Harvest Compassion Center Chandler was opened in March 2016.
Impact
HCC Chandler impacts its community daily. They provide food and clothing free of charge to all who walk through their doors. This may sound like a cool tagline, but I can tell you from experience, the reality of this provision is extremely important.
When I was in junior high, my father was incarcerated and my mom was left to figure out how to take care of seven kids on her own. My mother is an amazing woman, but she didn’t have any traditionally marketable skills that would excite employers. She was good at was what she knew–taking care of kids. So the only job she could get was running a daycare. The income associated with this was lackluster. I remember the tears and stress my mom would go through each time my siblings or I needed clothes. Beyond that, our refrigerator was frequently bare. Any time there was a community center able to provide a meal or clothing, it was a BIG deal. It not only provided sustenance and resources we needed, it supplied encouragement and hope to my mom. HCC Chandler distributes food and clothing for FREE. What a blessing!
And You
A question we love to get from our clients is, “Do you know any good places where my family and I can serve together?” Beyond the heart that wants to help others is the wisdom in serving together as a family. Exposing our children to community needs and working together to fill them is an action each family should do consistently. As mentioned in this article, it’s extremely important in the development of selflessness within your children and it energizes family relationships.
HCC Chandler makes it easy to serve as a family! The front page of their website includes this statement: “If you’re looking to serve your local community, we’d love to have you join us in our efforts. You are welcomed to volunteer at the center or even host your own food drive!” No matter your age, ability, or family/group size, they are always willing to accommodate to make it easy for you to serve. Having served there with my own family I can tell you, it’s a lot of fun!
You can redirect your tax dollars to organizations like Harvest Compassion Center. Arizona’s Charitable Tax Credit allows residents who donate to Qualifying Charitable Organizations to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $800 for married couples filing jointly and $400 for single filers!
If you’re interested in getting involved with Harvest Compassion Center in Chandler, click here for opportunities. Donations of money, time, or resources will be used well to make a real impact on our community.
