Press releases

Food Drives fill gaps at House of Hope

PRESS RELEASE DATE: MARCH 30, 2009

Many businesses, churches, communities and youth groups are working to make sure that House of Hope has enough food to meet the soaring demand from Martin County families in crisis.

House of Hope's ability to provide emergency supplies of food to people in need has never been more necessary - or as challenging.

"So far in 2009, requests for food assistance have doubled over the same period last year," said Kathy Carmody, House of Hope senior program manager and the manager of the agency's Food Pantry program. "And last year's requests were already higher than the previous year's numbers."

The Food Pantries at House of Hope's four locations - Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown and Jensen Beach - last year provided 126 tons of food, which is the equivalent of nearly 297,000 meals. The food is intended to help families during emergencies in their lives until they can get back on their feet. The pantry also serves many fixed-income senior citizens on a regular basis.

Here are some examples of recent and upcoming food drives that help keep House of Hope shelves stocked:

• The Martin County Girl Scouts' annual food drive collected 3,800 pounds on March 7.

• Youngsters at the Boys and Girls Clubs' Port Salerno branch delivered nearly 400 pounds of food March 20, and their drive is ongoing.

• St. Joseph Catholic Church gathered 8,000 pounds of food and has another drive planned for April 3-4. The food gathered in the upcoming drive will be shared between House of Hope and St. Joseph parish for Easter food baskets.

• The youth group of St. Luke's Episcopal Church will be going door to door in Post Salerno and South Stuart 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 10 to collect nonperishable food.

• The owner of Dangerous Curves, an auto body repair shop, donated 388 pounds of pork that came from pigs he bought from 4-H members at the Martin County Fair.

• A major drive conducted at Martin County government offices continues through April 17.

• Publix Super Markets just concluded a major drive in Martin County, and totals will be coming soon.

• A year-round drive is conducted by Trinity United Methodist Church. Mary Simon spearheads the collection and each month delivers the food to House of Hope's Jensen Beach branch.

• Stuart Congregational Church conducts a year-round drive for the House of Hope in Stuart.

• The Town of Sewall's Point started an ongoing drive in March.

• Mariner Sands, Lost Lake, The Retreat, The Preserve, Yacht & Country Club and Piper's Landing are among the gated communities that conduct frequent food drives.

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