About Us
About
Americans Helping Americans® was founded in 1986 as an affiliate of Christian Relief Services. The original board of directors had one common goal – to “assist the homeless and destitute who might otherwise starve to death on the streets of America.” This included providing formula to mothers of newborns who could not afford it.
Over the decades, Americans Helping Americans® has partnered with numerous grassroots charitable groups, churches, and human service agencies to provide food and resources to Americans in communities within the Appalachian Region.
The median household income across Appalachia is significantly lower than in other areas of the United States. The Appalachian Regional Commission said that roughly 14.7% of Appalachian residents lived below the poverty level, with family incomes below $26,246 for a family of two adults and two children.
One of the ways we provide for families within the Appalachian region is by distributing thousands of food boxes to families and the elderly throughout the year. Through these efforts, families of low income may overcome the high rate of food insecurity that plagues much of the region.
We don’t stop there though. Families in our communities need support year-round!
Between the combined efforts of Americans Helping Americans® and our partners, we have provided support in these areas (and more):
- Basic Needs: Coats, shoes, food bank support, utility support, and more.
- Education: Offering children academic assistance, school supplies, after-school programs, summer educational programs, and more.
- Vocational training: Ensuring that teens and young adults have the technical and educational skills needed to obtain well-paying jobs in technical and health care fields.
- Wellness: Providing children with dental hygiene, and vision care for families and the elderly.
- Housing Repairs: Roofing and renovation repairs and necessities.
To learn more information, visit the Our Programs page.
There are many ways you can help support Americans Helping Americans® and our important programs.
Where We Work
Our Impact in 2023
Individuals received free produce from the Puckett Community Garden
Families started vegetable gardens in the backyards
Individuals benefited from Cumberland Mountain Outreach
Holiday meals served
Food boxes were distributed
Summer meals served for children and the elderly
Individuals benefited from sponsored food banks in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee
Our History
Incorporated in 1990, Americans Helping Americans® was founded as a direct response to the extreme poverty that exists within our country and the hardships faced by often overlooked populations. Our goal is to ease unnecessary and chronic suffering by creating long-term solutions to the problems of hunger, limited education, substandard housing and insufficient medical care.
We work throughout the Appalachian regions with poverty-stricken families, the elderly, veterans and disabled to meet their emergency needs and strengthen their efforts toward self-sufficiency.
A deserted coal mine stands in the Appalachian Mountains as a reminder of the coal mine workers and their families struggling to survive without their jobs.
We work in close partnership with local churches, civic groups, businesses, and schools, by providing monetary and in-kind donations to the most disadvantaged families and individuals.
Funds raised through private donations are used for home repairs and eviction prevention, afterschool program, vocational training support, summer food programs, utility and medical assistance, eye exams and glasses, new shoes and winter coats, school supplies, monthly and holiday food distributions, and additional emergency needs.
Since 1998, AHA has also sponsored over 10,000 children attending day and residential summer camps and supported enrichment programs for at-risk youth.
Accreditations
Learn more about our accreditations and recognition.
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance has noted Americans Helping Americans® efficiency and found that Americans Helping Americans® meets the “Standards for Charitable Accountability.”
COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC)
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign.
All CFC charities are reviewed annually for evidence that they are providing services on a national level, as well as public and financial accountability.
AMERICA’S BEST CHARITIES
America’s Best Charities (ABC) is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit association. Only charities that meet the highest standards of public accountability and program effectiveness can become ABC member charities. Americans Helping Americans is recognized as a member of ABC.
Americans Helping Americans® cannot do the work we do without our partners and generous donors.
Do you want to make a difference by strengthening American communities in need?
Publications
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
2016 Annual Report
2015 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
