Hands of Hope (HOH) is a non-profit program that aims to help people by providing food, water, and other necessities at events like food distributions. Founded in 1992, the organization conducts its operations from the St. James Episcopal Church at 2136 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, New Jersey.
The program’s organized events, taking place twice a month, have helped more than two hundred families. The organization consists of volunteers, who aid by distributing food, packaging and organizing essentials, and assisting customers and clients.
HOH Volunteer Coordinator Kush Patel ‘14 is an EHS alumnus, where he credits his time as part of Rotary as having helped nurture his belief in community service.
“I have always believed in giving where you’re living,” Patel said. “This philosophy was taught to me early on by my parents, and luckily, through EHS’s Rotary Interact Club and Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity at Rutgers University, I always had the ability to serve my local community with great groups of people. I’ve learned the best service is done by local members.”
This past summer, the Hands of Hope Youth Ambassadors Program (HOHYAP) was launched as an affiliate program of the pantry. This initiative aims to promote community service to the EHS community and promote the work of Hands of Hope through collaborations with the school’s clubs and organizations.
“My goal with the EHS HOHYAP program is to teach more students the art of giving where they live and help them orient their careers and life’s purposes into ones based on service to the community,” said Patel. “It takes all of us to make our great nation even better.”
Alongside Patel, HOHYAP was organized by Charles Tomaro, the President of Hands of Hope. At EHS, the initiative is led by Founder and President Chris Saavedra ‘26 and Vice President Kayen Lo ‘26.
On October 6, Tomaro and Saavedra attended the Activity Fair in the cafeteria, promoting the organization to students. Two days later, on October 8, an information session was held to discuss the purpose of Hands of Hope, the mission of the Youth Ambassadors Program, and how EHS students can get involved to serve the Edison and Middlesex County community.
On October 18, EHS students participated in one of these Hands of Hope events, learning more about their food distribution system and receiving information for future events. Another event occurred at their distribution on November 1.
Saavedra has been a volunteer at the pantry since September 2024, where he has helped distribute food, register clients, and translate for the Spanish-speaking community. Now, he leads the Youth Ambassadors Program and serves as a representative of the pantry to EHS.
“It is an incredible privilege to lead this program. Volunteering at Hands of Hope has been a transformative experience for me, and it is an honor to have the platform to inspire my peers to serve the community,” said Saavedra.
Vice President Kayen Lo ‘26 has volunteered at Hands of Hope since October 2024, where he has served as a “runner,” leading volunteers to transport essential goods to clients. As VP, he works with Saavedra in representing the pantry at EHS.
“Being able to give back to the community and learn valuable life skills makes it all incredibly worth it,” said Lo. “Now, being the Vice President of the Youth Ambassadors Program, I can further spread this privilege in more ways than I could’ve previously. I am grateful and excited I have these opportunities, and I intend to continue giving to Hands of Hope, the clients, and the Youth Ambassadors Program.”
Hands of Hope will be hosting their next food distribution event on Saturday, December 6. Interested volunteers can register here.
If you have any questions regarding the HOHYAP, contact President Chris Saavedra: [email protected].
For more information and events, be sure to follow the HOHYAP’s Instagram (@handsofhopeyap): https://www.instagram.com/handsofhope.yap/
