When Margaret Douglas, 76, a parishioner of St. Bartholomew Church in Little Rock, joined the board of Helping Hand, she never imagined that her involvement with the nonprofit would ultimately lead her to become the executive director of it.
But as of Oct. 1, following the retirement of former executive director Gayle Priddy, Douglas found herself taking the reins.
Douglas had helped Helping Hand alongside her husband, Roger “Peewee” Douglas. Their daughter, Lillian, and son-in-law, Joe, live in Texas, and their son, Don, and daughter-in-law, Emi, live in California with their grandson, Kai. Their granddaughter, McKinnley, spent many summers volunteering at Helping Hand before passing away earlier this year. All of the Douglas children and grandchildren volunteer at Helping Hand during holiday visits.
“It’s a family affair,” Douglas said. “My husband started volunteering here in 2003 after my mother passed, and our granddaughter volunteered here during her lifetime. … I was the first person of color on the board. … At that time, I made some suggestions that I hope I can bring to life.”
When Priddy became executive director in 2012, Douglas began volunteering at Helping Hand after retiring from a 44-year career in administrative medical assistance. In 2013, Douglas joined the nonprofit’s staff.
“It’s been a joy being here. This is the most rewarding job,” she said. “… This is more rewarding than anything I’ve ever done in my life. You actually see the Bible come to life when you’re working here.”
The spiritual impact of Helping Hands’ work hit home several years ago, when a woman came in from the rain with her small child.
“It was raining that day,” Douglas recalled. “Her shoes were just barely on her feet, and we didn’t have anything in her size.”
Douglas realized the woman’s shoe size was her own — so she took her shoes off her feet and traded them for the woman’s tattered sneakers.
“Giving her my pair of shoes allowed me to walk the walk that she was walking,” Douglas said. “To have my feet on the ground, to see what it was like.”
This encounter solidified for Douglas that Helping Hand is about more than food and clothing — it’s about community and spiritual wellbeing.
“This week, a young lady wanted to see me. She wanted to let me know that her mother had passed. I remember her mother coming in with her … I talked, and I told her to remember those good memories of her mother, and that I would always be here.
“We have people who come in, and it’s not just for the food. It’s for the spiritual aspect that we have here. … I’m growing in my faith because of Helping Hand.”
Part of that spiritual growth has come from a reminder to be thankful for those things she once took for granted.
“I have a hard time going to the grocery store now,” Douglas said. “Before I’d go to the grocery store and just put anything in my basket that I saw that I wanted, go to the counter and pay for it. Here, we have people who actually need us. Whatever we put in that bag, they are thankful for it, and it makes you stop and think. Then all of a sudden, you’re very thankful for the blessings you receive, and you have a desire to share that blessing with others,” whether it be time or donations.
Douglas steps into the leadership role at a tumultuous time. Recent federal funding cuts have impacted grant availability, as well as food donations to Helping Hand.
“Coming to this role, especially now, we’re looking at the holidays,” Douglas said. “Last year we did 340 Thanksgiving boxes, so we’re asking the public to assist us with that so that we will be able to give a few more, because with the government the way it is now, we have people without jobs. We have no idea what’s going to happen, and who will be coming to our door needing assistance, and just having that family meal that so many of us take for granted (is important) — being together for Thanksgiving. We want to help as many people as we can.”
Douglas is also in the process of gathering toys and gifts to give to children at Christmas time. In 2024, Helping Hand prepared presents and gifts for more than 600 children.
“I believe in Santa,” Douglas said with a smile. “But most of all, I believe in God. And I know we’ll get through this, and our people will be so thankful.”
But Douglas knows that none of the work could be done without people who are willing to give and help the most vulnerable among us. Douglas said that volunteers, donors and prayerful support have all helped Helping Hand.
“I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about this place,” Douglas confessed. “But I tell everybody that this is the only place I know where people write a check when they come to work. Our volunteers give us not only their time — they make contributions to Helping Hand. They know when we are low in produce — they’ve even come in with bags of produce to share with others.”
In a tumultuous world, Douglas said, Helping Hand is helping many on the margins in Central Arkansas find peace.
“Just opening that door, we are trying to give love in a peaceful place, because that’s what people need right now — a peaceful place where they can come to. But they also inspire us,” she said. “They keep us going.”
