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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- It serves dozens of people five days a week. And, Helping Hands does it all from free-will donations.

But, to continue serving the community the director said it needs more donations and volunteers.

Margaret Gregory said seven years ago God placed it on her heart to start the mission, Helping Hands.

From Tuesday through Saturday it feeds and clothes people who not only live in the community, but people who pass through as well.

Gregory said it has some very good volunteers, but when she needs to move things, sometimes she needs some younger muscles.

She said the mission is here to help people spiritually and with food and clothing.

“There's a vast difference between a mission and a thrift store,” said Helping Hands Director Margaret Gregory.

“A mission is there to help people with or without the money. And, that's what our goal is (to) try and make life a little bit easier on people if we can.”

Helping Hands is the only mission in Kirksville that serves people a home cooked meal on a weekly basis.

And, volunteer Sandy Rogers said it gets donations for clothing, but not as much for food.  

“Right now we really need stuff for the food part (of the mission),” Rogers said. “Ground meat (would be best to donate), because we can make a lot of different things with that, or just canned stuff is good too.”

Gregory said she would like to thank the people in the community and the surrounding areas who donate food to the soup kitchen.

“People have been so good to us,” Gregory said.

If you would like to volunteer or donate, you can stop by helping hands at 111 E. Harrison St. in Kirksville.