A New Port Richey couple is extending a helping hand to those in the community as a daily way of life.
Kyrja and Randy Withers have dedicated themselves to meeting the needs of the homeless and at-risk community in Pasco County through their pagan non-profit charity, Hands of the Goddess.
It all began about 12 years ago when they met three disabled, homeless women in need of help.
“I put the information out there asking for help with the toiletries, with shampoos, toothpaste, toilet paper, that type of thing and the response was so overwhelming that we knew we had to keep on running,” Kyrja said.
Working with local New Port Richey churches and other charities, Kyrja and Randy collect and distribute food to those in need, as well as toiletries, pet food and more.
“There is no overhead here. One hundred percent of anything that’s given to us goes back,” Randy said.
They also make by hand mats made from plastic bags you get at the supermarket.
“We make plastic mats for our homeless neighbors so that they can stay warm on the ground where they are sleeping,” Kyrja said.
She is also the author of 26 books – eight of them Rupert’s Tails about a rabbit named Rupert.
She and Randy are pagans, explaining that theirs is a nature-based faith, not a religion, with the belief that nature is sacred.
“We’re just trying to help each other, help each other. Whatever resonates as the truth within you is what we do,” Kyrja said.
