Press releases

Christmas beauty and bargains
in store at House of Hope

PRESS RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 22, 2009

See photos on HOH's Facebook page

House of Hope’s Resale Shoppe in Stuart has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland, filled with bargains and beautiful displays of merchandise.

House of Hope is offering thrifty shoppers an inexpensive way to stock up for the holidays and help people in need at the same time.

The agency’s Stuart location – at the corner of Dixie Highway (A1A) and Bonita Street in Golden Gate – is filled with Christmas decorations, cards, bows, ornaments, wreaths, ceramics, trees and much more. The inventory changes as donations come in and items are sold.

House of Hope’s new retail manager, Sara Norman, and her volunteer “elves” set up the wonderful displays over the weekend.

The income from thrift store sales is more important than ever as more people seek help from House of Hope.

Declining jobs and rising prices are plunging more and more families into crisis, as seen by the more than 80 percent increase in requests for service at House of Hope over the past two years.

By shopping at any of the House of Hope resale stores – Hobe Sound, Indiantown and Jensen Beach as well as Stuart -- people can save money while helping others in need.

For 25 years, House of Hope has been a vital safety net for people struggling through hard times -- primarily low-wage workers, fixed-income senior citizens and people suffering through personal life tragedies.

The agency operates service programs that address basic human needs: The Pantry Program provides food; the Clothes Closet Program offers clothing and household items; the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) Program helps people pay critical bills such as rent, mortgage, utilities or medicine; and the Case Management Program helps people with long-term guidance toward economic self-sufficiency.

House of Hope depends on donations of time, talent and treasures. The organization welcomes volunteers and donations of food, clothing, household items and monetary gifts.

The House of Hope store could benefit even more by services such as paint and carpet cleaning, which has not been done for many years.

For more information about House of Hope, call (772) 286-4673 or visit www.hohmartin.org.