On October 4, 2012, 43 Partners gathered in San Ysidro, California to celebrate Serving Hands International’s 30th Anniversary. Nearly 100 ministry leaders and program directors attended, among them 28 priests and 21 sisters. Serving Hands International proudly collaborates with these international partners “to aid the poorest people in the world and strive to encourage in them self-sufficiency, dignity, and hope by providing educational and vocational opportunities, food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and spiritual guidance.” Founded in 1982, Serving Hands International was created due to the encouragement of the Caster’s family friends. The Casters, founders and owners of A-1 Self Storage had long since been serving the poor. They frequently crossed the border with their 8 children to deliver fresh groceries, clothes and hope to those in need. Often they took with them their neighbors, friends and associates. Almost immediately these trips grew into a caravan of people who wished to offer their hands for service. It is from this expressed desire that Serving Hands International received its name. Because of the Caster Family’s continued generosity, A-1 Self Storages’ loyal and valuable customers and generous donors Serving Hands International is still in operation today. The impact Serving Hands International has because of their partners is remarkable. Between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2012 Serving Hands International in alliance with their partners have served more than 500,000 people in need! Collectively, 120,103 people have been served a fresh meal; 338,048 people have received food bags. 9,936 have been cared for through our medical partners and 299 students are educational scholarship recipients. Gathered together in celebration, 7 partners took the stage to verbally thank Serving Hands International founders, Terrence and Barbara Caster and the Board Members for their “servants hearts and hands”. They shared stories of meeting and first memories with the Caster Family. The speakers also recounted experiences of their ministry in very recent days, and how the support from Serving Hands International was able to meet the needs they were facing. The main message was clear; Serving Hands International has made a difference in their communities and programs. The Caster family, Serving Hands International Board, Staff and volunteers wish to thank you for partnering with us. It is our privilege to minister to the poor together.
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