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February 15: Empty Bowls Dinner
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February 20: Nashville Songwriters Live Online Auction Opens
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February 27: Nashville Songwriters Live Benefit Concert
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March 17: South Lake Tahoe On-Campus Info Meetings
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March-April: On-Campus Club Projects
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July 8-10: High School Leadership Camp
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July 29-31: Middle School Leadership Camp
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September 26: Endless Summer Beach Party
| | Outreach Opportunities & Events | | |
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Feb 7: Big Brothers Big Sisters Crackin' Crab for Kids
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Feb 9: Twin Lakes Food Bank Food Distribution
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Feb 14: GVCC Common Ground Breakfast & Essentials Distribution
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Feb 13: Empty Bowls Washing and Silverware Wrapping
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Feb 15: Empty Bowls Dinner
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Feb 18: Mercy Creekview Manor Senior Dinner & Entertainment
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Feb 27: Sister Nora's Place Dinner
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Feb 28: GVCC Common Ground Breakfast & Essentials Distribution
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Feb 28: Upper Room Dining Hall Dinner
MAPS Peer Mentoring:
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Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays
New days & times available; new orientation process available
Donations and Drop-Off Dates:
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Feb 15: Empty Bowls Food Donations due
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Feb 17: Mercy Creekview dinner/dessert donations due
New opportunities may be added throughout the month, so be sure to check the calendar often!
| | In just one year with Hands4Hope, 9th-grader Nikhil Ranchod has already volunteered more than 55 hours. He has been a regular at the monthly Upper Room Dining Hall dinner, helped families shop at Winter Boutique, and is often found in other areas, wherever help is needed. Through these experiences, Nikhil has discovered a deep sense of gratitude and a love for service. Read on to hear Nikhil's story in his own words, as he shares a powerful reminder of how these experiences can deepen perspectives and help youth expand their comfort zones. | | Empty Bowls Dinner in Two Weeks! | | |
The 26th annual Empty Bowls Dinner, planned by the youth-led Hands4Hope Empty Bowls Committee, is happening two weeks from today on Sunday, February 15 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. This dinner raises funds for four projects that fight food insecurity locally and beyond.
Here are some things you should know:
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Sponsorship Deadline Thursday, February 5
Sponsorships start at just $150 and include tickets to the event.
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Online presale tickets deadline Friday, February 13 - buy now to save your spot!
Not only do you save $5 when you purchase your General Admission ticket online in advance, you secure your ticket at the event. Tickets are selling fast for this popular event, and we could sell out and have to turn people away at the door!
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Food Volunteers Needed!
We are only halfway to our goal of food volunteers. We need your culinary creations! If you would like to donate desserts, bread, or soup (specific recipes provided), please reach out to emptybowlsfood@hands4hopeyouth.org for more information and to sign up.
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Adult & Youth Volunteers Needed!
This event is such a joy for so many volunteers, and we do need more help. We especially need more volunteers for bowl washing/silverware wrapping at the Upper Room on Friday, February 13; and on February 15 we need more youth in the set-up shift from 9 am to 12 pm and during shift 2 from 4:15 to 7:30 pm.
| | Join the Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship Committee | | |
Youth can help make a difference in the lives of other young people by giving them a summer camp experience they would otherwise not be able to access.
The 2026 Hands4Hope Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship Committee is now forming. Through this after-school committee, youth in 6th-12th grades run a seasonal scholarship program that enables young people who have limited means to explore their own strengths by attending skill-building summer camps, providing needed financial assistance to attend. Committee participants determine scholarship criteria, manage the program budget, market the scholarship program, review applications, make award decisions, and learn lots of skills and perspectives along the way.
The committee runs February through May and meets periodically during that time.
| | Winter Boutique Warms Hundreds of Neighbors | | Hundreds of neighbors felt the warmth this winter thanks to youth leadership and community generosity. Hands4Hope’s 16th Annual Winter Boutique transformed thousands of donated winter essentials into a joyful, no-cost shopping experience for families in need, serving more than 750 individuals through a festive pop-up led by middle and high school youth and supported by dedicated adult volunteers. See how youth, volunteers, and community partners came together to make the season a little warmer for so many. | | |
The countdown is on for the third annual Nashville Songwriters Live: Performances and Stories Behind your Favorite Hit Songs. Join us for an intimate show with a full band, acoustic moments, and unforgettable storytelling, with all proceeds benefiting Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference.
Friday, February 27, 2026
7 pm
Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom
You won't want to miss 3-time Emmy winner Greg Barnhill, top 3 finisher on The Voice! Morgan Myles, and returning favorites hit singer-songwriters CJ Solar and Mark Mackay. They're coming together to create this live show, just to support Hands4Hope, at the Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College on February 27.
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Joining them for a special set will be featured local talent Cynthia Renee, as well as some local students who will add their voices and instrument playing.
Plus, this event features an online auction that opens February 20. You can participate in the auction from anywhere—regardless of if you can attend the concert. Bid on items like:
- Nashville Condo Vacation
- Guitars signed by the artists
- Lava Cap Winery Tour & Tasting
- Private Bourbon Tasting Party
- ... and more!
Look for more info on that coming up soon!
| | South Lake Tahoe Youth Info Meetings Kick Off | | We are thrilled about the expansion of Hands4Hope programs into South Lake Tahoe this spring. Information meetings will be taking place on campus for students at South Tahoe Middle School and South Tahoe High School on March 17. These meetings will be a chance for students to learn about Hands4Hope programs, leadership opportunities, outreach opportunities, and other ways to get involved. Find details on our website. | | We're Hiring: Donor Relations Coordinator | | Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is hiring a Donor Relations Coordinator. This role supports fundraising communications, campaigns, and events; manages donor data and engagement strategies; and builds relationships with youth participants, donors, volunteers, sponsors, and partners. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this info with them! | | |
Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference
is a youth-driven non-profit charitable 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service.
Our vision is to develop a community of civic-minded and socially responsible citizens for generations to come.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY!
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