Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ – Just this March, Phil Grimwood flipped the first shovel of dirt to signify the start of a planned addition to Helping Hands, which is just about complete.)
Anyone who is interested in helping others knew Phil Grimwood. He spent his whole life doing so, and inspiring a community to support a food pantry that now feeds literally thousands – Helping Hands.
Grimwood, 70, died on July 29 – his friends and family are still trying to wrap their head around life without him.
Grimwood was born in Charlotte and lived in Sunfield. He worked at General Motors for more than 20 years, and then another 10 as a supervisor.
He met his wife, Venita “Vee” in Charlotte and they had two children and eventually grands and great grands.
For 45 years, Helping Hands has been a staple in the lives of so many in Charlotte and surrounding communities. Last year, the pantry distributed one million pounds of food and personal care items, an increase over the year before.
That increase greatly affected Grimwood, who always thought about what to do and plan for next for the organization.
As he was pivotal in the early days of finding more space to grow, he helped with the planning and supervision of the current expansion, soon to be completed.
Barb VanderMolen, one-time treasurer of the organization wrote, “Phil not only had a big heart and loved and served Jesus, he had a background in production management at General Motors. That gave him the necessary skills and knowledge to design and effectively implement the new Helping Hands building in 2019 and our new expansion that is currently under construction.
“He surely was a humble servant of God, being kind, giving, reliable, and so very competent in a variety of areas. He was certainly a pleasure to work with, from the Helping Hands volunteers and any of the variety of professional people he came in contact with every day. He was loved and will be greatly missed. Only God knows who and how many people will have to step up to take his place and fill his shoes.”
While he won’t see the finishing touches on the new facility, Grimwood was there, with a broad smile and a shiny shovel to break ground on the facility, which is a $428,000 addition to the current building at 621 Jefferson St., on March 14 of this year.
Grimwood started volunteering at Helping Hands in 1982. Information from Helping Hands helps fill in the history: “It was a combined ministry for local churches, and was first located in a back room in a building on Henry Street and then moved to 212 W. Shepherd St. As other area nonprofits sprang up to provide housing, clothing, pregnancy services, and more, Helping Hands began to focus its mission on distributing food.
“In 1998 Helping Hands was serving 35 to 40 families each month. The pantry moved into a building at the corner of South Cochran and Shaw that would be its home for 21 years.”
Grimwood was there when the current building opened, in April 2019. Grimwood, who succeeded Pam Huffman as director, oversaw the work to make the new $431,000 building debt-free within a year, just before COVID-19 hit.
Recently, Grimwood has been food truck driver, and listening ear to the countless neighbors who count on the organization for support. That once included current Director Amanda Thompson, who started out as a client, then volunteer and then mentee of Grimwood.
Thompson writes, “Twenty years is far more than a milestone, it is a testament to unwavering faith, selfless service, and a life dedicated to making a difference. Throughout his years with Helping Hands Food Pantry, Phil Grimwood has been a source of hope for countless individuals and families, quietly serving with compassion, humility, and an open heart.
“Phil leaves behind much more than an organization. He leaves a legacy of love, kindness, and generosity that will continue to inspire volunteers, and future generations. His servant’s heart has touched lives in ways that cannot be measured, reminding us all, that even the smallest act of compassion can leave a lasting memory. His service as Executive Director, Vice-President of the board, and current Food Resource Manager, have made a tremendous impact on our organization.
“Thank you, Phil, for the countless hours you have given, the lives you have changed, and the example you have set. Your unwavering commitment to serving others has been a beautiful reflection of the love of Jesus. We are deeply grateful for your dedication, your friendship, and the enduring legacy you leave behind.”
