We recently connected with Patricia Rigsby-scott and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Patricia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Wow—Where did it all begin? How did I come up with this idea? This idea is not new… but was “new” to me. I never imagined being Founder and Director of a non- profit that desires to help the homeless and the unsheltered. I actually had a phobia regarding this population. I feared and regarded them as “less” until I went out and purposely and intentionally got to know them. I saw them. I felt the needs and desired to fill the needs.
I have always had the desire to help even as a young child. As an adult, that desire to serve really surfaced while visiting a relative with my mom at a rehab center. The residents had been served chicken fried steak for lunch. I noticed many were having trouble cutting up their food. I can remember putting my things down and washing my hands. I went from table to table assisting those that needed help. I made sure each had bite sized pieces to make their meal more enjoyable. My late mother noticed and said, “You have such a big heart and you’re always using your hands to help people”. Little did I know a seed was planted. Many years passed, and the desire and passion to help people grew stronger. I became more active in at my church. I worked with our senior citizens.
I soon realized my desire to help went beyond just older adults. I just wanted to help. I was introduced to homeless outreach in early 2000. Caring Compassionate Hearts & Helping Hands was birthed in 2009. We received our 501c3 status in 2014.
It takes a lot of support from partners to achieve our mission.
Caring Compassionate Hearts & Helping Hands, Inc. (2C3H), exits to serve the homeless and less fortunate. We believe ministry and service begins in the heart. We believe that if our hearts feel, our hands will fill. That’s our mantra “Feel a Need… Fill a Need. Our Mission is to be moved with compassion and offer the hands and help needed to alleviate the suffering of the hurting, the overlooked, the forgotten, and the lost. We simply exist to share the message of Jesus Christ through service found on the scripture in Matthew 9:36…When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless…
2C3H is all about being Active in Missions—locally and abroad. We seek to reach out to those who suffer spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Our Programs:
*Compassion Covers: We provide services to the homeless primarily within the Dallas /Fort Worth and surrounding areas. We provide blankets and rain gear. We also collect new and used shoes. Since 2014, we have donated over 8000 blankets.
We also collect new and used coats, winter gear, tents, sleeping bags and other survival essentials to aid the unhoused.
*Heart for the Homeless program: This project encompasses several initiatives.
Mobile Compassion Center.
”The Hatch”
Food for the Soul—We distribute meals to those in need.
From 2014 to 2023, in partnership with other outreach providers, we have provided, sponsored, served and/or distributed over
120,000 Meals
240,000 Beverages
7500 blankets
January 2024 to November 2024, we have provided, sponsored, served and/or distributed over
13,000 meals
28,000 beverages.
3000 hygiene kits
500 blankets
Globally, 2C3H provides quarterly meals and snacks for a special needs school in Kenya Africa.
We also cultivate sacks gardens to help feed widows and orphans.
Patricia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I love people. I love to help people. I believe matter matters. I believe people matter no matter who they are or their conditions or circumstances.
I’m a licensed and ordained minister and wife to my wonderful supportive husband, Cedric. He’s my silent partner, preparer, picker upper, and packer. He helps and supports me by letting me do what I do, and I appreciate him for that! This year I was honored to receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award October 2024 from one of our ministry partners, Under My Umbrella, Inc. It was truly an honor to be recognized and appreciated by those doing what we do and much more!
Now more about our organization. 2C3H is all about being Active in Missions—locally and abroad. We seek to reach out to those who suffer spiritually, emotionally, and physically. We have partnered and served in Guatemala and Haiti. We currently have ongoing feeding programs in Kenya Africa and have adopted a special needs home there to support with food. We have donated two wheelchairs to help with mobility-impaired children.
Our domestic cities of service include Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving and surrounding areas and Texarkana. We try to make an impact in every city or place the Lord allows us to visit.
Since its origin, Caring Compassionate Hearts & Helping Hands has prepared, distributed, and or sponsored almost 135,000 meals. And we haven’t accomplished this alone. We partner with various other non-profit organizations.
Where we are today. Caring Compassionate Hearts & Helping Hands typically serves 200-400 meals weekly. Sometimes more, sometimes less. We travel to various homeless encampments, under bridges, and on the streets. We go where the people are and that may mean behind buildings and dumpsters. We take out essentials: hydration, hygiene, coats, blankets, tents, sleeping bags. Again, we don’t do this alone. We are so blessed to work alongside great non-profits, groups, and individual donors and supporters that make sure we have what’s need to get to those in need. Our supporters feel the needs and fill the needs. We are honored that they trust us with their resources. They know we will get those resources to those that need them.
Ministry Details
• 501 c3 nonprofit organization
• Fully funded 100% through donations
• Fully staffed by volunteers
Because of the above, I wouldn’t say the road hasn’t been without obstacles, but I will say that our Great Provider provides. Providing for the unsheltered, the unhoused, the lost, and sometimes forgotten is challenging within itself. We provide a meal, we cry, we provide a listening ear, we provide what resources we have and most of all … we pray. We know that the needs of the people are great. And we don’t have the means or the funds to completely eradicate homelessness’, YET!
We know that the needs of the people are great. And we don’t have the means or the funds to meet every need of those we serve. We trust the Lord, and he has sent to us those volunteers and donors with a heart to serve and a heart to give and those with helping hands; those with “Caring Compassionate Hearts & Helping Hands”.
Yes, we continue to “struggle” with funding because we continue to want and strive for more to better serve and assist those in need. We desire ministry vehicles for “Mobile Compassion Center” and a building for storage for “Compassion Cupboard” pantry. But until we get those things, we serve with what we have “the hatch” of my Kia Sorento (lol) that vehicle is recognized on the streets. our unsheltered friends recognize our brand… those bright yellow shirts with smiles to match!
We simply exist to share the message of Jesus Christ through our service one full belly at a time.
We like to sum up Caring Compassionate Hearts & Helping Hands with The Who, The What, The When, The Where, and The How
The Who…The Least
The homeless, the unsheltered, the unhoused…the less fortunate.
Those who suffer spiritually, emotionally and physically. Widows/Orphans
The What…
Feeling Needs…Filling Needs
Provide Basic Needs: Ensure that our friends have the resources to survive and maintain life.
Food / Water “Shelter” Compassion Covers (tents, blankets, coats, warm gear)
The When…
Now…All the time as need dictates. We serve from dawn, day, dusk to dark
The Where …
Active in Missions—locally and abroad. DFW and surrounding areas. Texarkana.
We go where the needs are; under bridges, on sidewalks, behind buildings and behind dumpsters. We go where the people are…
Globally: Special Needs School in Kenya Africa. Quarterly Feedings. Sack Gardens.
The Why…Purpose
Our mission is to serve with compassion and offer the hands and help needed to alleviate the suffering of the hurt, the overlooked, the forgotten, and the lost. Because God said GO.
The How…With your help!
PayPal: https://paypal.me/c3prs
Zelle: 214-417-8880
Cash App: $2c3h
Givelify: Caring Compassionate Hearts and Helping Hands
Check or Money Order
Mail your donation to:
PO Box 2285, Cedar Hill, TX 75106-2285
The Needs…Every day is an opportunity to make a difference. Help us help them.
It takes a lot of support from partners like you to achieve our mission.
Constant need of Non-Perishable Food and Snacks individually wrapped.
Tuna/chicken packs, chips, peanut butter crackers, chewy granola bars, fruit cups, fruit snacks, cookies, individual peanut butter cups and jelly, candy, ramen cups (nothing spicy) etc…
Gallon Ziplock bags, sandwich and snack Ziplock bags, 3 compartment to go containers, full size aluminum pans and lids, wash cloths, deodorant, baby wipes…etc.
Tents, tarps, sleeping bags, blankets, hygiene items…
We are so blessed that the Lord sends what we need as we are funded 100 percent by donors. Donations are tax-deductible per IRS guidelines. Please be prayerful as to how you can help us help them. We would love you to join us in some of our feedings. Also, please consider doing a shelf-stable food drive for us.
Thank you for your consideration. The “work” speaks. See our Facebook page for pictures that help tell the story. Pictures and stories can also be found on my personal page: Patricia Rigsby-Scott. We need you! We appreciate you telling your friends about us too. Visit our website
Caringcompassionateheartshelp.com
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Consistency: Reliability… Simply showing up. genuine Kindness
Essential Qualities: Care-Compassion-Kindness and a willingness to help.
We have a God-given action item—to open our hands and give to those in need. We try to be sensitive to their needs and serve them with dignity. We understand may not be able to fully eradicate homelessness, but we can do our best to try.
.
It takes a lot of support from partners to achieve our mission. A huge part of our success is aligning ourselves with those who share our passion and commitment.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Funding is our biggest challenge yet how we do what we do illustrates our resilience. People depend on us to help them.
We all face challenges.
Ministry Details
• 501 c3 nonprofit organization
• Fully funded 100% through donations
• Fully staffed by volunteers
Because of the above, I wouldn’t say the road hasn’t been without obstacles, but I will say that our Great Provider provides. Providing for the unsheltered, the unhoused, the lost, and sometimes forgotten is challenging within itself. We provide a meal, we cry, we provide a listening ear, we provide what resources we have and most of all … we pray. We know that the needs of the people are great. And we don’t have the means or the funds to
We know that the needs of the people are great. And we don’t have the means or the funds to meet every need of those we serve. We trust the Lord, and he has sent to us those volunteers and donors with a heart to serve and a heart to give and those with helping hands; those with “Caring Compassionate Hearts & Helping Hands”.
Yes, we continue to “struggle” with funding because we continue to want and strive for more to better serve and assist those in need. We desire ministry vehicles for “Mobile Compassion Center” and a building for storage for “Compassion Cupboard” pantry. But until we get those things, we serve with what we have “the hatch” of my Kia Sorento (lol) that vehicle is recognized on the streets.
Ways to help.
PayPal: https://paypal.me/c3prs
Zelle: 214-417-8880
Cash App: $2c3h
Givelify: Caring Compassionate Hearts and Helping Hands
Check or Money Order
Mail your donation to:
PO Box 2285, Cedar Hill, TX 75106-2285
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Contact Info: • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2C3HINC?mibextid=ZbWKwL • Other: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.rigsbyscott?mibextid=ZbWKwL
