[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 10, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING SUE WILSON AND THE HELPING HAND AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sue Wilson and The 
Helping Hand of Warren County in Indianola, Iowa for their aid to the 
underserved people of their community. Sue and The Helping Hand are the 
pinnacles of what it means to be an Iowan, and I wish to recognize them 
as my Iowan of the Week for their remarkable dedication to the 
betterment of their state.
  The Helping Hand is a volunteer organization whose mission is to 
distribute food, clothing, and household items to residents in their 
community for no cost. While they have been serving the people of 
Warren County for years via their walk-in food pantry, they have begun 
outreach to expand their services to address underlying issues 
resulting in food insecurity such as substance misuse and mental health 
services.
  The Helping Hand is expanding its network to multiple resources and 
services that its community members can utilize. Not only is it a 
support system for people who need food and clothing, it is also a 
resource for those who look to better their mental health as well, not 
just their physical.
  Sue serves on Governor Reynolds' Advisory Council for Brain Injuries 
and has started to administer a voluntary brain injury screening tool 
to the community members that utilize The Helping Hand. While people 
are waiting in the food pantry line, they are invited to participate in 
the screening and are then asked a series of questions. This new 
programming is in the early stages, but Sue and The Helping Hand are 
hoping that they will soon be able to provide data of the percentage of 
people who have suffered from a brain injury and have limited resources 
to assist them in their betterment. So far, The Helping Hand has 
screened approximately 100 people in their food pantry line.
  Sue and The Helping Hand's desire to better the lives of those in 
Warren County is inspiring. Whether it be facing food insecurity 
directly or distributing over one thousand boxes of food and supplies, 
they are setting the standards high on what it means to serve and be 
served within a community. Sue and The Helping Hand are constantly and 
consistently striving to better themselves and the people they serve, 
and they do this through complete devotion, an unwavering work ethic, 
and huge hearts. I am proud to recognize Sue Wilson and The Helping 
Hand of Warren County as my Iowan of the week.

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