First Radiant Hands would like to thank everyone who has made donations, particularly recently. As our previous email stated, we have had  a deluge of applicants looking for assistance.

We would like to let everyone know the procedures we follow in order to confirm legitimate requests.

We hope this information  clarifies the procedure we follow and that you feel comfortable that Radiant Hands is doing everything we can to be good stewards of your money. We make every attempt to the best of our abilities to ensure each request is legitimate.


1. Money is not normally given to the applicant. We send checks directly to the utility company, landlord, housing authority or local business if relative to a repair.

2. If the applicant is requesting money for food, instead we supply a food-card which can only be used for products, with no cash returned.

3. Applicants must provide contact information for a reference who is not related to them i.e. doctor, landlord, utility company. Please see the form that requests information: Assistance Application

4. References, landlords and utility companies are contacted by  a Board member to confirm the situation.

5. If, after researching the applicant, we are not comfortable with the responses, we send them a $25 food card (as we don't want to turn anyone away if at all possible) and suggest they try other, larger, organizations.

6. Applications that are incomplete are responded to with an email listing specific items of identification (see below).

  In order to process requests we require the following information:
1. Photocopy of Driver's License or FL ID card
2. Date of Birth and school attended for each child living at home.
3. Marital Status (married, single, divorced, widowed)
4. Detailed explanation of why the funds are needed.
5. Indicate what is source of income, employer and/or Fed and State Aid (and include an ID card for employer or Welfare Agency)
6. If requesting Utility or Rent payment, the account number of the utility and if in different name what is relationship to applicant. Complete name, mailing address and phone number of Landlord.
7. Phone contact, and indicate if your own phone line, or someone else's cell number
8. A reference: any professional, your minister, case worker, teacher, employer, past employer, someone who would be aware of your current circumstances.

You may either mail or email all of the above information and it may take as long as 10 days after your request to reach a decision.
We offer one time emergency assistance to a head of household with special attention is given to those employed with children under age of 16.

If you have any suggestions how we might change, modify or enhance this process please feel free to send your recommendations/comments to admin@radianthands.org.