Press releases

House of Hope calls for
gently used fashions

PRESS RELEASE DATE: FEB. 3, 2009

House of Hope is looking to the community to help dress up its annual fashion show, which features gently used fashions and accessories from the agency’s “Resale Shoppes.”

The agency’s 10th Annual Fashion Show, Luncheon and Silent Auction combines fashions, fun and philanthropy and will be held Thursday, March 5, at Mariner Sands Country Club.

House of Hope is calling for donations of designer merchandise – from casual to formal wear – to show off and sell at the event.

Silent auction items and sponsorships are also welcome. Sponsors so far include Senior Home Companions, KVAR America Inc. and Renova Day Spa & Salon.

Tickets for the event start at $50, with patron-level tickets priced at $75 and a table of eight available for $500.

For more information or registration, contact House of Hope at (772) 286-4673 or visit www.hohmartin.org.

People can drop off fashion show donations at any of the agency’s four locations:

• Stuart: 2484 SE Bonita St. (corner of Dixie Highway and Bonita Street)

• Hobe Sound: 11760 SE Dixie Highway

• Indiantown: 15516 Osceola St.

• Jensen Beach: 1313 NE Jensen Beach Blvd.

All fashion show and thrift store sales and donations help House of Hope serve people in Martin County through programs that provide food, clothing, case management and emergency financial assistance.

This year, the fashion show is part of House of Hope’s Silver Celebration, marking the agency’s 25th anniversary of serving Martin County. It’s an opportunity for House of Hope to put the spotlight on its services, which have been especially important during the economic downturn. Over the past two years, demands for assistance have risen by 80 percent.

“People who live paycheck-to-paycheck or on a fixed income have suddenly found themselves in crisis as prices rise, jobs dry up and businesses close or cut back hours,” Slattery said. “Our Food Pantries, Clothes Closets and Emergency Financial Assistance programs help bridge gaps for them. In addition, our new Case Management program helps them find ways to get out and stay out of crisis situations.”

Here are some statistics about House of Hope’s service to Martin County over the past 25 years:

• The Food Pantry program has given out 1,612 tons of food – equaling about 3.7 million meals – to more than 44,500 families.

• The Emergency Financial Assistance program has provided more than $1.6 million in bill payments to assist more than 8,000 families who otherwise would have been homeless, or without utilities or prescription medications or other critical needs.