Who We Are

About Us

Caring Hands Outreach Center is a community-based organization dedicated to serving the needs of our neighbors in eastern Polk County. We partner with local Christian churches and community groups to provide essential services, including a food pantry in Altoona. Our thrift store, also located in Altoona, helps support the food pantry through its sales.

We know that people have different seasons in life. Sometimes, you need someone to come alongside you and walk through a difficult season. Later, you are in a position to donate your time, talent, or treasure to those who need a helping hand. Wherever you are in your journey, explore the different opportunities available through Caring Hands for building relationships within our community.

Group of people holding a check in front of a christmas tree

Caring Hands carries out its ministry according to our core values.

Everyone matters

Luke 15:3-7

Jesus models for us relentless love without labels or borders. We desire to give that same kind of love to everyone we encounter.

Everyone has a part to play

1 Corinthians 12:27

God gives everyone gifts to serve others; we are better when we work together. We desire to mobilize as many community members as possible to serve their neighbors.

It’s all about Jesus

John 6:35

Jesus is the reason Caring Hands exists. He is the hope for the hurting, the bread of life for the hungry, and our motive in serving. We desire to point people to Jesus in all that we do.

Our History

In 1995, Caring Hands Outreach Center began as Matthew 25 Ministries, an outreach of Adventure Life Church. We provided boxes of food to local families struggling to feed their families. In the first month, we served 14 families and were astounded by the need in our community.

As the number of families we served increased, other local churches began volunteering their time and resources. In 2003, this coalition of churches formed Caring Hands Outreach Center to serve the entire Southeast Polk community.

Since then, our programs and locations have changed, but our mission has not. Our neighbors require more than just food. Cyclical poverty affects access to the many support services that are available in our community. We respect the whole person and choose to walk beside them as they navigate life’s challenges.

Caring Hands is a network of Christian Churches and community partners that mobilizes eastern Polk County for compassionate service toward our neighbors.

Our Team

Larry O'Conner — Larry OConner
Board Member

Trisha Flaherty-Barnes
Director, Community Relations

Craig Perry

Chairperson

Terry Warren

Vice Chairperson

Shelley Herrin

Treasurer

Nathan Anenson

Board Member

Deb Stearns

Board Member

Larry OConner

Board Member

Jerry Brubaker

Board Member

I wanted to volunteer on the Caring Hands Board because it is an organization that is helping many in need. I volunteered as an fireman for years and enjoyed helping people in tough situations,

Chad Dahm

Board Member

Jodi Urich

CEO

As CEO of Caring Hands, I am driven by a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. My journey here is rooted in a lifelong passion for compassionate care and a belief that everyone deserves dignity, respect, and support—especially during their most vulnerable moments. Leading Caring Hands allows me to blend my experience in leadership with a personal mission to build a team and culture that prioritizes empathy, excellence, and genuine human connection. Every decision I make is guided by the belief that when we care from the heart, we create lasting impact.

Maggie Crabb

COO

I am thrilled to be part of Caring Hands Outreach Center and wholeheartedly believe in its mission of serving neighbors in eastern Polk County with compassion and dignity. For the past 12 years, I have poured my heart into the community, co-founding the Altoona Kids Café in 2014 and SWERVE Outreach in 2016—both born from my passion for advocating for children and families. Having been connected to this community through family and collaboration for over 20 years, joining Caring Hands truly feels like coming home. This new role is a natural progression for me—an opportunity to use my skills, experiences, and partnerships to strengthen our work, expand our impact, and better serve our neighbors.

I am especially excited to walk alongside our incredible community volunteers, support the food pantry through the Caring Hands Thrift Store, and help expand services that meet both physical and spiritual needs—providing not just short-term relief, but long-term hope and stability. My husband, Chad, and I are grateful to be raising our children, Campbell and Jackson, in this community we love. Above all, I am committed to bettering our community and giving a hand-up to anyone I can, always striving to serve others with dignity, compassion, and hope.

Trisha Flaherty-Barnes

Director, Community Relations

I didn’t go searching for this role—Caring Hands found me. After everything I’ve been through personally and professionally, I knew I wanted to invest my time and talents in an organization that is truly making a difference. Many people know Caring Hands for its thrift store, but what makes it remarkable is the mission behind it: feeding Eastern Polk County with dignity and providing resources that give a hand up, not a handout. That commitment to compassion, dignity, and community is exactly what drew me here. I feel blessed to have found such a caring board of directors and a dedicated team, and I’m excited to start this new chapter.

Community Partners

Our Donors