Press releases

Food drives help stock House of Hope

PRESS RELEASE DATE: Nov. 17, 2008

Generous organizations, communities and businesses are helping to stock the shelves at House of Hope to serve the ever-increasing number of people in need of food.

• The Realtor Association of Martin County recently donated more than a half a ton of food during its annual holiday food drive, which the Realtors have been running for more than 20 years to benefit House of Hope clients. The effort was spearheaded by Brent Gifford, the organization’s Residential Marketing Committee chairman, and Vince Laviano, the president of the Realtor Association. The food was collected during just two weekly meetings. Also, with $150 in cash collected, the staff bought $235 worth of food by taking advantage of many buy-one/get-one-free specials.

• Milam’s Market in Stuart presented a $1,000 check to House of Hope, which will help purchase vouchers for turkeys for families at Thanksgiving. The grocery store asked its customers to “Help us feed the hungry within our community and provide HOPE for those in their time of need.”

• Many gated communities have conducted food drives, including the Women’s Club of the Retreat and the Lost Lake Golf Club. The most recent drive was the Florida Club’s annual food drive, which delivered 1,250 pounds of food to House of Hope on Nov. 16.

• House of Hope and the Martin County Library System are collaborating on an effort called “Hungry to Read” that will include a food drive and a library orientation event. Library visitors can drop off donations of non-perishable grocery items in the bright yellow crates stacked in the lobby areas of each library branch.

• Horsefeathers Sports & Spokes in Hobe Sound “charges” canned goods to enter its monthly car show and donates the food to House of Hope.

• The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Martin County has allowed employees to dress casually if they bring in canned goods. “People were so into the spirit that they brought in cans of food even if they’re not dressing down,” said Marsha Ewing, Clerk of the Circuit Court.

• The Palm City Chamber of Commerce called on members to bring canned goods to its Nov. 19 breakfast meeting.

• Of course, the annual WPTV Food for Families drive is ongoing at many schools and businesses, including Seacoast National Bank and Aycock Funeral Homes. Collections at many locations run through Nov. 25.

Through October, House of Hope had provided 101 tons of food to people in need – ranging from struggling families with young children to “working poor” individuals to fixed-income senior citizens. HOH projects that it will give out 120 tons of food by the end of the year – the equivalent of about 275,000 meals for all of 2008.

If you, your community, civic group, business or other organization would like to conduct a food drive or otherwise help House of Hope, please call (772) 286-4673.