Every year, the Amarillo Area Foundation hosts the Panhandle Gives event that begins on the Monday before Thanksgiving and ends on Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving. This year the dates are November 23 through December 1.
During this event, local non-profit organizations are eligible to participate and all donations made to the organizations through the Panhandle Gives campaign are amplified.
One of the organizations participating in the event this year is Harvest House Outreach Ministries, a resource for citizens of the Gray County area who need assistance with weekly groceries as well as spiritual nourishment.
Founded in May of 1998 as a ministry of the Trinity Fellowship Church of Pampa under the direction of Ed and Carolyn Stroud, Harvest House was established as a food distribution center to help the residents of Gray County and the City of Pampa and has since ministered to people on a weekly basis. Carolyn and Ed served faithfully until their retirement in 2012.
Irvin and Alice Hall became the directors in January of 2013, and their vision helped move Harvest House to become a more independent ministry by establishing 501-C3 status, and operates under a volunteer board of directors who are faithfully committed to the mission.
Past directors, Gary and Jana Snyder, followed by Ed and Brenda Sattesahn, continued to operate the ministry, serving the community with the same commitment and dedication to sharing not only food, but also the gospel of Jesus Christ. After the Sattesahns retired, Irvin made the decision to resume the role of director in January of 2025, but this time as sole director after the loss of his sweet wife Alice. He has continued to operate the Harvest House Ministry with the same dedication he and his wife began the ministry with so many years ago.
The goal of the Harvest House is to provide food to those in need along with spiritual service which the clients are encouraged to attend. The message of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and for many of the clients, it may be the only church service they are able to attend. The groceries they receive often provide a means of stretching what food the household has until their next pay period. The location of the ministry, 736 S. Cuyler, provides access to many clients who don’t have the means to drive to receive physical help.
Clients are able to select from a pre-printed grocery list of the foods that are available that week. While the volunteers who work in the pantry put together the selected items, the clients have the opportunity to worship and hear a message from various pastors and lay persons in our area. Extra holiday items are given during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In order for a family or person to receive assistance, there is information that is requested during the time of registration: a driver’s license or picture identification, social security card, and any current bill or proof of residence. Registration can be done on Thursday during the sessions.
The weekly schedule is as follows: every Thursday, arrive by 9:00-9:30 AM to select groceries from the list, and from 9:30-10:00 AM is a voluntary chapel service followed by grocery distribution. The second session begins at 10:15 AM-10:45 AM to select groceries and from 10:45-11:15 AM is the voluntary chapel service and grocery distribution.
Food is collected regularly from area grocery stores and restaurants, as well as purchased and delivered from the High Plains Food Bank out of Amarillo. The financial support for the Harvest House comes from individuals, businesses, and churches who wish to join hands and work together to feed those less fortunate.
The Harvest House has served an average of over 350 families per year, with that number increasing each year, along with increasing food insufficiency among households below the poverty level income. Each week, they serve from 25-55 families (95-135) individuals who not only receive food, but also much needed encouragement, counsel, and prayer.
The Harvest House is always graciously accepting donations throughout the year, but during the Panhandle Gives event, all donations are amplified, so your monetary donations go even further. For more information about how you can donate during the Panhandle Gives campaign starting November 23, visit their website, panhandlegives.org.
If you would like to set up monthly donations of any amount for the Harvest House, you can do so through their website, www.harvesthousepampa.org, or through their PayPal and Venmo accounts @harvesthousepampa.
For more information about the services the Harvest House provides, call 806-665-4042.
