30-50 Percent Below Walmart, Joliet's Hands Of Hope Grocery Opens On Jefferson: 'Everyone Is Welcome'

JOLIET, IL — This is the first week of business for the new Hands of Hope grocery store that has taken over the old ALDI building at 1820 West Jefferson Street. The store is next to the Pep Boys Auto Service and Tires business.

Hands of Hope has had a presence in Joliet for several years, but the prior location for the grocery store was hidden, off the beaten path, near the McDonough Street Joliet post office. The new location is massive: it's 14,000 square feet and Hands of Hope has a large warehouse in the back including a walk-in cooler and freezer to store refrigerated products.

"Hands of Hope of Illinois is a food network and ministry striving to assist in God's business of caring for his children. Our main objective is to share the gospel through the giving of food," its website explains.

Toward the front of the store, a Bible passage from the gospel of Matthew is displayed prominently on a wall reading, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added onto you."

If word spreads like a wildfire around Joliet regarding the rock-bottom prices offered inside Hands of Hope for its Gatorade, Starbucks coffee products, Dino Buddies chicken nuggets and more, the Walmart parking lots around the Joliet region might soon become empty.

"Thirty to 50 percent below Walmart, that's what we base everything on," Woodie Stiltner, president and founder of Hands of Hope, told Joliet Patch. "We want everyone to come in. Everybody is welcome."

On Tuesday, the first day of business, Hands of Hope saw 445 customers visit the new Joliet store. Normally, foot traffic averages about 275 people per day, Stiltner said.

The Hands of Hope website explains, "Although we are a Christian Ministry and most of our recipients are 'faith' based organizations, we do not discriminate against any group or individual in need. If you are hungry, we will feed you."

During Wednesday's interview with Joliet Patch's editor, Stiltner explained, "We're here to meet the peoples' needs. We do want to share scripture with what the gospel says and what does Jesus say. He loves everyone."

The front of Hands of Hope is stocked with bread — and it's all free. Everyday.

The bread comes from Joliet's legendary Milano Bakery, Pepperidge Farms, Turano Baking Company and a bread company in Wisconsin, Stiltner explained.

The new store at 1820 West Jefferson in now open Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We Wanted To Stay In Joliet Because Our Hub Is Here"

Hands of Hope will continue to operate its warehouse buildings near the main Joliet post office, which are located at 511 Oakleaf Street.

"We wanted to stay in Joliet because our hub is here. But before we were hidden," Stiltner said. "Now, we have better parking and we're on Jefferson Street and we have a sign out on the street."

House of Hope has a $5 per year membership fee for customers.

Stiltner said that proceeds are used to help schools and pay doctor's bills for the less fortunate.

He said that House of Hope already has about 40,000 members "and there are still 145,000 people in the surrounding Joliet area we have not touched yet that have not used our services."

Stiltner said that Hands of Hope is able to offer rock-bottom prices on its retail merchandise and grocery goods because about 12 to 15 percent of its products are donated.

"And the other 80 to 85 percent, we have a wholesaler's license. We can buy by the truckloads so we can pass that savings on to our people," he said.

During the first and third Fridays of every month, Hands of Hope will continue to open up its old warehouse facility at 511 Oakleaf at 1 p.m. "and all groups can come in and it's free," Stiltner revealed. That event is open to all churches and not-for-profit agencies.

As for its new grocery store, Hands of Hope also has a large Prayer Room in the back of its store where a prayer group meets every morning from 9 to 9:30 a.m.

Besides Joliet, Hands of Hope has locations in Grovertown, Indiana and Park Hills, Missouri. The three Hands of Hope centers employ over 80 people, plus five truck drivers. The new Joliet grocery store has 22 employees.

Hands of Hope has been in Joliet for 14 years.