THE BEGINNING: The vision began in 1992 when a local health care worker became frustrated with the disposal of useable, often new, medical supplies and equipment. The idea of Hands of Hope was born through her persistence in inquiring whether she could obtain some of those usable materials being sent to the trash and send them overseas to third world countries. Through her local church she was able to arrange for the shipment of boxes to medical missionaries in Swaziland and Papua New Guinea.
INCORPORATION: By 1996 the small group of volunteers realized a more formal organization was necessary to carry on the vision. In that year Hands of Hope Northwest was incorporated as a 501c3 not-for-profit charitable and humanitarian organization in the state of Idaho.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS: Since 1996 Hands of Hope Northwest has shipped 51 containers of medical supplies worth over 18 million dollars to twenty-four countries. Click on a year for more information. We have also provided supplies for many medical professionals who were going on mission trips.
2006 Shipments 2007 Shipments 2008 Shipments 2009 Shipments 2010 Shipments
LOCAL LOANS: The local loan ministry began in 2003 when we realized that there are many people in our community who cannot afford to rent or buy medical equipment needed for home care. Fewer than fifty items were loaned in 2003. This number grew to 253 items in 2006 and 724 items in 2009!
We have also donated items to churches, civic organizations, schools, shelters, and other groups needing the use of equipment for extended periods. The value of these items over the past five years is over $220,000.
