A History of Heart and Hands
In 2006 a non-profit Thrift Shop opened in Meredith on Water Street. It operated for 10 years and provided the community with the opportunity to purchase goods at affordable prices and channel a portion of the profits to local charities.
When it closed in 2016, Tom Whitham, parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church, and Robin Soller, Trinity’s Pastor, formed an alliance with Father Dennis of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and Pastor Russ of the First Congregational Church. The three parishes decided the community needed to continue to have a non-profit thrift shop available. A board of directors was established, consisting of three representatives from each of the parishes.
In the Fall of 2016, the opening of Heart and Hands Thrift Shop was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and grateful hearts. The shop’s name came from someone suggesting those involved would be the Heart and Hands of Jesus. By selling affordable items and investing profits to local charities, thereby benefiting the community, the mission was born.
The guiding light of our mission statement has been of the highest importance in remaining true to the mission.
In 2024, the Board realized Heart and Hands had grown so large, it moved forward to establish Heart and Hands as its own 501(c)(3) charity and no longer functioning under the three parishes. This became a reality in 2025.
We are blessed every day to do the work of Jesus in our community and to enjoy the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in Christ as we continue to carry out our mission of being the Heart and Hands of Jesus.
When it closed in 2016, Tom Whitham, parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church, and Robin Soller, Trinity’s Pastor, formed an alliance with Father Dennis of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and Pastor Russ of the First Congregational Church. The three parishes decided the community needed to continue to have a non-profit thrift shop available. A board of directors was established, consisting of three representatives from each of the parishes.
In the Fall of 2016, the opening of Heart and Hands Thrift Shop was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and grateful hearts. The shop’s name came from someone suggesting those involved would be the Heart and Hands of Jesus. By selling affordable items and investing profits to local charities, thereby benefiting the community, the mission was born.
The guiding light of our mission statement has been of the highest importance in remaining true to the mission.
In 2024, the Board realized Heart and Hands had grown so large, it moved forward to establish Heart and Hands as its own 501(c)(3) charity and no longer functioning under the three parishes. This became a reality in 2025.
We are blessed every day to do the work of Jesus in our community and to enjoy the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in Christ as we continue to carry out our mission of being the Heart and Hands of Jesus.