Mama J's Helping Hand Ministry reaches out to local families

Jeannette Lopez intends to make a difference in the lives of Sneads Ferry families that might need a helping hand.

“My kids would tell me about friends of theirs at school that were having trouble,” explained Lopez. “There was one girl who was pregnant and scared to tell her parents.”

Having been a teen parent herself, Lopez knows how overwhelming and isolating that type of fear can be. This very compassion sparked her mission to reach out to pregnant teens that were in difficult situations. But Lopez quickly discovered that it was not only that segment of the population that could use some help. By word of mouth, she began getting requests for any kind of help — from working families to the elderly. 

“I’m here to help anyone who needs it,” said Lopez.

By her own estimations, more than 400 people so far have needed help since she opened her doors in December of 2011. Her ministry is located on Hwy. 172 in Sneads Ferry and is also the new home of the Sneads Ferry Food Pantry. Howard Orr, the ipso facto director of both the food pantry and the Sneads Ferry Soup Kitchen was looking for a larger space for the pantry and was pointed toward Lopez by the well-informed Tim Supple who operates the Village News email thread. 

“When we first talked it looked as if our programs were a perfect match,” said Orr. “I was trying to get food into the community, and part of Jeanette’s dream was to also provide food items to new mothers.”

With the help of nearly all the local churches in the community and strong support from her husband Mike, Lopez has much of the practical side of the outreach in place. Her ministry is very much geared toward teens. She’s designated part of her ministry’s office space to a teen hangout with a pool table and couches for lounging. 

“Mama J’s Helping Hand will strive to offer programs that support teen parents in completing their high school education. I hope to work with and mentor teens that have parents struggling with drug or alcohol-related issues,” said Lopez.

“Jeanette is very determined that this is her ministry,” said Orr. “And she intends to make it work. It is just starting up and hopefully it will attract more volunteers.”

Area businesses have rallied behind Lopez as well. Recently, a silent auction was held on behalf of her ministry and the Food Pantry. 

“I was amazed at how much support we got from the local businesses,” said Lopez. “The dedication of my assistant Misty Tatonetti and associate Rett Orozco in putting it all together left me speechless.” 

Because as a mother, wife and student — she is pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology — Lopez doesn’t do it all on her own. As the community continues to support her vision, Mama J’s Helping Hands will reach all those in the area who need it.

“Sometimes, when people need help, they might (figuratively) want their mom for a sense of comfort and relief,” Tattonetti said. “Now they have Mama J to turn to.”

Mama J’s Helping Hand is located at 2205 Highway 172 in Sneads Ferry. The ministry office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations of baby items, disposable diaper, and family clothing are welcome. Mama J’s is in particular need of large plastic storage bins. For more information, call 910-327-1302 and 910-650-2989, e-mail jeanette0621@yahoo.com or find them on Facebook (“Mamaj Helpinghand”).