Heartbeat in the Life of a Community

The Matthews Help Center (MHC), a local non-profit organization that has been helping residents in need in Matthews and surrounding communities since 1979, will celebrate its 40-year anniversary next month.

In 1978, June Hamrick (of the Matthews Woman’s Club) and Iris Devore (of the Happy Times Club) sought a central place in the Matthews community to provide crisis assistance. The Town of Matthews offered them the use of the historic Clark House (now the Matthews Heritage Museum) on John St., and the doors of the Matthews HELP Center opened in November of 1979.

“What began as a small community project in downtown Matthews has grown to helping more than 3,700 households just this past year alone” said Sandra Conway, Executive Director of MHC. Support from the community was critical to their start, and to this day MHC is supported annually through the sales from their Back Porch Treasures Thrift Boutique and the generosity of individuals, foundations, churches, and businesses.

A client shared how MHC was able to help her family in a time of need, “Everyone in my household has been trying their best to get jobs and manage money to keep bills paid and food on the table. I woke up today realizing we have paid all of our bills, but we have no money for food. I called and made an appointment at Matthews HELP Center. I was so relieved. Because of the help we received, when we leave MHC today we can go home and make BRUNCH, because we had to miss breakfast. Thank you.”

Starting on October 26th, The Matthews Heritage Museum will feature a special exhibit about the history of Matthews HELP Center. Please visit www.matthewsheritagemuseum.org for more information. More information about Matthews HELP Center and ways to get involved, please visit www.matthewshelpcenter.org.