11th Hour Response Team in Rainier dedicates itself to helping those in need

The 11th Hour Response Team is a Rainier-based non-profit founded in January 2023 that aims to bridge the gap between compassionate hearts and those in need of helping hands. 11th Hour Response Team services are free to those who qualify which are typically fixed income, WIC program or direct referrals. The priority in service is to seniors, veterans, victims, single parents, disabled, homeless, low income families, and to provide disaster relief.

"Mostly the people I get calls from are veterans and elderly," said 11th Hour Response Founder Naathan Hinton. "It's a focus on lower income - fixed income people - because they can't afford the help, they're out there struggling. They need their lawn mowed or their gutters cleaned; they're elderly or disabled and they can't perform those kinds of tasks."

After going through some challenging life seasons, Hinton was looking for a new purpose in his life. His career experience, combined with personal hardships such as recovering from homelessness and domestic abuse, ultimately led to the creation of The 11th Hour Response Team.

"The 11th Hour Response Team was born out of hardships that my sons and I were going through. I was praying and seeking God for some answers. One was direction and purpose in my life," Hinton said. "I looked around the community and asked, 'What are people doing to help others? What can I do to meet the needs of my boys and also help others?' I don't have any money to start something, so I'm like, 'God, what do I do?' And He told me, 'Use the resources you have and put them to work.'"

As a result, Hinton put his 20-year site construction experience to work, but in a new way. To get started, he reached out to local churches and other connections to identify community needs and teamed up with existing organizations with an overlap in the people he was looking to serve. The first year, Hinton worked on it part-time, fitting the non-profit work in alongside his paid, part-time job. In 2024, he found himself faced with a lot more free time to invest in his vision, but it was going to take a leap of faith.

The non-profit's free services are made possible by funding provided through monetary donations, fundraising, and paid service work for which the 11th Hour is hired. Hinton is also exploring grant options. Services include, but are not limited to: moving and relocating; donation pickup and delivery; transport of light cars and trucks and trailers; and a wide variety of handyman services.

"Our vision is to help as many people in need as we can with the resources we have," Hinton said. "I just encourage people to call and see if we can perform the task and, if not, then I will try to find somebody that will do it." The 11th Hour recently announced a partnership with Alston Pub and Grub for a community garden with plots located behind the business.

"Since our vision of the 11th hour Response Team is to help those in need around our community, we have discussed having a community garden, but struggled to have a good, accessible place," Hinton said. "One day, the manager of the Alston Pub and Grub approached me asking if we would want to use the grounds for a community garden, so we jumped at this amazing opportunity."

The partnership's "Alston Community Garden Hosted by the 11th Hour Response Team" is a space for community members to grow fresh produce, connect with others, and enjoy the benefits of gardening. 20 garden plots are available for seasonal rental with a sliding scale fee to ensure accessibility for all. Individual plot size is 10 x 40 for a flat fee of $45 for the season; 20 x 40 lots are $65. Each gardener is required to take care of their own plot and adhere to rules and guidelines.

"A lot of the people on low income don't have a yard," said Hinton. "It's basically there so people have a spot where they can grow their flowers and vegetables to either give out to people or use in their own home. We don't encourage selling them. One thing people have asked is there [are] some elderly people that would like a plot but that can't take care of it, and so we do need some volunteers that would like to garden for other people."

The 11th Hour Response Team is actively looking for volunteers on a project or ongoing basis. They also have a need for donated materials such as roofing or building, various hand tools, and other equipment. Currently the organization is limited to servicing Columbia and Cowlitz Counties with occasional jobs in other areas.

"Sometimes we'll venture up into Rose Valley," said Hinton. "So mostly day trips that I can do while my sons are in school and still cater to my son's needs. Our volunteer pool is very shallow, but our vision is to help others grow and spread beyond Columbia County. It just takes time. I'd like to see more volunteers, more support to help others, and sponsors. That way, this can grow worldwide... That would be awesome." For more info, visit 11thhourrt.org, email thellth.hour.response.team@gmail.com, or call 503-944-9496.