Helping Hands and Caring Hearts Church
Church opens snow cone stand to benefit children
The inspiration behind one of the newest snow cone locations in Benton is helping area children.
Helping Hands and
Caring Hearts Church is operating a snow cone shop at 721 West South Street in Benton to continue Helping Hands' mission of helping others.
Organizer Bonnie
Johnson said the business is a fundraiser to do things like take the children on trips and buy them shoes for school.
The church has been serving the community since November of last year. Helping Hands has been serving the community for 16 years.
Johnson sees the snow cone shop as an extension of those ministries.
The snow cone shop has been serving sweet treats for two months.
Johnson said area children already knew if they were hungry or thirsty, they could come to Helping Hands. She had a snow cone machine and realized they could use it to give children treats and raise money to
help children.
"I thought it would be a good time to use it," she said.
Johnson runs the store with employee Charlotte Daniels.
Johnson said much of the money they have made is people donating to buy snow
cones for children who do not have money to pay. Any child can come in and get a snow cone.
"The bottom line is (the children) have to know we care," Johnson said.
She said there is one young boy who comes in every afternoon. There is a
girl who comes in and only wants the ice.
The shop has a space to sit and enjoy the treats that has games and toys for the children to play.
Randy Abels, a former addict helped by Helping Hands, painted and decorated the space, including the snow cone image on the front window.
The community has gotten behind the shop. Mccallister's Landscape Supply donated to watermelons when the shop and church was holding Fourth of July festivities.
The shop offers a variety of snow cone flavors, including sugar free, keto friendly options. There is also lemonade and snacks for purchase.
Small cones are $1. Medium cones are $2 and large cones are $3.
As with Helping Hands thrift store. Johnson is always happy to pray for customers who need it.
Johnson said she is excited for the chance to open another door of ministry to serve this community. She feels the community is really coming together to help others. The snow cone shop has helped her build new relationships.
With what she does every day, she said she does not mind getting up to go to work every day.
"I go to work to see what God is going to do," Johnson said.
Even after summer ends, there are no plans to close the shop. She thinks they may serve hot cocoa as the weather turns colder.
Johnson said the shop is not just for children. Many area senior citizens love to come by and chat and get a snow cone. She turns on music from the 1950s and 60s for them to enjoy.
For Johnson and Daniels, the shop is personal. Johnson said both grew up in poverty and saw other children get treats they could not get. In the shop, all children can get a treat.
The money raised through the shop goes to help children. Anyone wishing to donate toward the cause can bring cash or check to the shop. Checks should be made out to Helping Hands and say it's for the children.
Johnson feels helping others is important and the shop helps continue that goal.
"We have to continue to reach out to the community and we have to work together," she said.
The shop is open noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.