Hannah House

Pros

• They saved him from hypothermia by letting him inside and providing a hot meal and gloves.
• The staff were wonderful for the most part.
• Josh and Terra in the kitchen are great.
• The shelter provides a place to go and serves three meals a day, making it a safe option.
• The Helping Hands thrift store is an amazing place with reasonably priced goods and friendly service.
• Nichole and the staff have been more than willing to help in every way.
• Chris was pro-social, positive, and professional, and helped with firewood.
• Emma is a sweetheart who goes the extra mile to assist those in need.
• The shelter is a great place for resources and guidance to get back on one's feet.
• It offers a roof over one's head and a structured environment compared to the streets.

Cons

• The shelter is described as having bedbugs and as thieves operating there.
• Residents' belongings are not safe, with valuables disappearing and bags left dirty.
• Staff are accused of hanging up on callers and failing to return messages to speak with the director.
• The food is often undercooked, overcooked, or inedible, with meals that are cold or unappetizing.
• Pregnant residents are told they cannot get top bunks, and bed-warming rules are inconsistent or misrepresented.
• The facility is likened to a rehab facility or jail, treating residents like children or slaves and causing stress and misery.
• The thrift store staff are accused of favoritism, raising prices after complaints, and even kicking out customers.
• The shelter is criticized as not helping people move forward and being perceived by some as a joke to society.

Review

Albany Helping Hands emerges in these accounts as a place that some people view as a vital safety net and stepping stone, while others see it as a complex mix of supportive services and serious drawbacks. Across the comments, the shelter and its programs are described as offering real help to people who are trying to weather rough periods, with three meals a day, a safe place to stay, showers, hygiene supplies, clothing vouchers, and access to resources like work training. Several residents speak warmly of the shelter's role in getting out of the cold and providing a predictable routine, especially for people who would otherwise be exposed to harsh weather.

Several reviewers emphasize the relief and gratitude they felt when they first encountered Albany Helping Hands. One person notes that the shelter saved them from hypothermia by letting them inside, providing a hot meal, and offering gloves. That story is echoed by others who call the facility a trustworthy place to bring yourself or a family member, praising the "safe place" atmosphere and the consistency of having meals in a day. Another commenter, who identifies as housed, expresses openness to any institution that provides free food and aims to help the community. In these memories, staff members are credited with being for the most part wonderful, especially individuals like Emma, who is described as a sweetheart, and Nichole, who is praised for going the extra mile at the thrift store. The thrift store itself is celebrated as a resource with great prices and a willingness to help, making it one of the most positively remembered aspects of the organization.

Yet within the same broad canvas there are sharp criticisms and troubling episodes that cast a long shadow over the experience. A prominent thread is the fear and frustration around lost or stored belongings. One person recounts a painful incident in which, after being assured that their bed would be held and their things would remain untouched, they returned to find beds allegedly full and about half of their belongings thrown into a dirty bag by the door. They claim that valuable items like shoes and electronics vanished and that the remaining items were inadequate and dirty. The same reviewer reports repeated attempts to contact the director, with staff promising a callback that never arrives and voicemail boxes that go unanswered. The impression left is that, for some residents, personal property and trust are fragile and routinely violated, and that the system for addressing concerns is unreliable.

Safety concerns and facility conditions also surface repeatedly. Several comments point to problems with cleanliness and safety, including references to black mold and bed bugs. There are also sensitive mentions related to pregnancy: a pregnant resident reports being denied a top bunk due to liability concerns, with accusations that the warming room was treated as more available to others with beds. Bed bugs, mold, and the sense that the environment can feel unsafe or uncomfortable in ways that go beyond ordinary shelter challenges appear as recurring themes. The overall tone suggests that while the shelter is a lifeline for many, it can also feel unpredictable and, at times, hostile to those who depend on it most.

The quality of food and treatment in the kitchen receives a spectrum of opinions. Some praise the meals as part of the shelter's value, while others recount specific dining experiences that were disappointing or inconsistent. A few reviewers describe meals that were undercooked, overcooked, or simply not palatable - pork products, pancakes without syrup, cold coleslaw sandwiches, or half a can of spaghetti O's for lunch. One reviewer even questions whether the dining program should be considered a community service given the uneven quality. In contrast, other diners mention positive moments - like a supportive kitchen staff, and particular staff members who try to help - indicating that kitchen experiences can vary significantly by shift and person.

Beyond the shelter's walls, the thrift store is a focal point of appreciation - and at times, controversy. Reviewers extol the thrift store's bargain prices, the satisfaction of finding a good deal, and the sense that profits support housing and services for the homeless. Nichole and other staff members are highlighted for their willingness to help, turning donations into meaningful assistance. However, there are also allegations that the store's environment is not entirely fair - comments about favoritism toward certain employees, price manipulation when complaints are voiced, and even rumors of donations being sold rather than used for charitable purposes. A few reviewers describe experiences where they felt the process of obtaining donations or resources through the store was inconsistent or unfair, hinting at internal tensions or mismanagement.

Amid the highs and lows, a consistent message is that Albany Helping Hands is something many people rely on to get back on their feet. The shelter is repeatedly framed as a "stepping stone" toward stability, with services that can lay the groundwork for moving forward, including rules that are designed to help residents regain structure and accountability. Some reviewers express a faith-based perspective, noting that the shelter is aligned with Christian principles and Celebrate Recovery programs, and that staff are committed to guiding people toward greater life organization and personal growth. Others emphasize that the shelter offers multiple avenues of support, including counseling, resources for housing, and referrals that can help residents chart a path out of homelessness.

Taken together, these perspectives present Albany Helping Hands as a multifaceted institution: a real, life-affirming resource that provides meals, shelter, and essential services to many, while also a place where frustrations, safety concerns, and management challenges can be pronounced. The breadth of experiences - from gratitude and relief to distrust and disappointment - paints a picture of a program that is deeply valued by some and deeply strained by others. For residents who depend on it, the shelter appears to be a critical but imperfect instrument in the broader effort to secure safety, dignity, and a path toward self-sufficiency.

This part of Albany, Oregon offers a convenient location with a variety of healthcare options including internal medicine, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, family clinics, pharmacies, and medical centers all within close proximity. There are also several dining options ranging from fast food to cafes to sit-down restaurants. The area is surrounded by parks for outdoor recreation and places of worship for spiritual fulfillment. Transportation services are readily available with an airport nearby and car rental options. While there is a lack of hospitals directly in the vicinity, there is a cancer resource center within reach. For entertainment, there is a movie theater not far away as well. Overall, this area provides a mix of amenities and services that may cater to seniors looking for a highly accessible and diverse community in which to reside.

Physicians

• Agape Internal Medicine & Pediatrics (0.2 miles)
• Samaritan Mid-Valley Orthopedics (0.2 miles)
• Albany Obstetrics and Gynecology (0.3 miles)
• Mid Valley Family Clinic (1 miles)
• Samaritan Obstetrics & Gynecology (1 miles)
• Samaritan Breast Surgical Specialists (1 miles)
• Samaritan Medical & Diagnostics Center (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Elm Street Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Geary Street Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Safeway Food & Drug (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Bi-Mart Corporation (2.1 miles)
• Medicap Pharmacy (2.1 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• Taqueria Alonzo (0.7 miles)
• ABChinese (1.5 miles)
• Ma's Dairy Farm (1.5 miles)
• Arby's (1.8 miles)
• Spirit Espresso (1.8 miles)
• Applebee's (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Monteith Riverpark (0.7 miles)
• Gibson Hill Park (1.9 miles)
• Benton Woods Community playground (2.6 miles)
• Teloh Calapooia Park (2.6 miles)
• Waverly Park (2.8 miles)
• Timber Linn Park (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (0.7 miles)
• Margin Coffee (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.5 miles)
• Dutch Brothers (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Plainview Mennonite Church (0.8 miles)
• Grace Brethren Church (2.2 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2.6 miles)
• The Shift Church (3.4 miles)
• Valley Christian Center (4.8 miles)

Transportation

• Allegiant Airlines (1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.9 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (6.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Samaritan Cancer Resource Center (1 miles)
• Good Samaritan Hospital (6.8 miles)
• Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center (6.8 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Albany Cinemas (2.2 miles)
• Amc (7 miles)