New director named for Kilgore's Helping Hands

Susie Prater has been named director of Helping Hands of Kilgore, the local food pantry.

"Her extensive work history in the social services field and her Christian lifestyle are great assets to the mission of Helping Hands," said Mary Helen Craig, Helping Hands president.

Prater has 20 years experience in East Texas, beginning with the Texas Department of Human Services and has held positions such as Community Service aide for Adult Protection and trainer for Adult Foster Care Providers. She served as Volunteer Coordinator for the Kilgore Crisis Center where she also provided adult and student education to the community, peer counseling, informative referrals and supervised operation of the Thrift Store. Her last position was as case worker for Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services where she assessed needs for families in crisis, provided lessons in life skills, parenting, budgeting, and job planning. She also has a wide knowledge of the social and government services available to the clients of Helping Hands.

As director of Helping Hands, Prater will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the food pantry which includes maintaining the grocery supplies, training and scheduling of the volunteers, assessing the needs of our clients and matching them to resources available.

Susie and her husband, Doyle, have lived in Kilgore since he retired from the military in 1983. He works for Redding Construction. Susie worships with the congregation of Crossroads United Methodist Church.

Prater will assume her new responsibilities on March 10.