The Stuart Green Market has selected House of Hope as its charity of choice this season, encouraging people to give through food collections and fund-raisers.

Market organizers also have provided space for House of Hope to set up an informational booth, which is staffed by a dynamic and dedicated volunteer, Sandra Gorney.

Each Sunday, Gorney cheerfully spreads the word about House of Hope and its programs that help people who are struggling through hard times.

Stuart Green Market has provided a cool item for Gorney to sell as a fund-raiser – a pineapple wearing shades and proclaiming "Follow me to Stuart Green Market!" The item is designed as an antenna topper, but it can also hang from your car mirror or Christmas tree. They cost $3 each, and half of that amount goes to House of Hope.

Gorney came to House of Hope through Workforce Solutions, under a program that calls for people to do volunteer work as well as pursue further education or training to strengthen their job skills. She is volunteering at the Jensen Beach branch of House of Hope on Fridays and Saturdays and then staffs the HOH booth on Sundays. She also is attending classes to improve her business and office-related skills.

In the interest of having backup and/or assistance for Gorney, House of Hope is looking for more volunteers to staff the Stuart Green Market booth on Sunday mornings. If interested, call Diane Tomasik at (772) 286-4673.

Market organizers chose House of Hope to support because of the agency's vital role during these troubling economic times.

"Now, more than ever, so many families are turning to organizations such as House of Hope as a last resort," said market participant Nancy Conway. "The little things our market can do to help can go a long way."

Stuart Green Market is open every Sunday in the Stuart City Hall parking lot, 121 SW Flagler Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through May, then 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June through October.

Vendors offer fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, breads, pastries and seafood. Marketgoers may snack on boiled peanuts, barbecue, tacos, empanadas, crepes or conch fritters. Landscape and house plants are widely available, as well as Highwaymen art, crafts, handmade soaps and candles, jewelry, accessories and apparel. For more information about the Stuart Green Market, visit stuartgreenmarket.org or call Bobbi Spencer, (772) 528-8900

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