Press releases

House of Hope's Food Pantry getting bare

PRESS RELEASE DATE: FEB. 25, 2010

Food supplies are running low at House of Hope as high demand compounds the usual lull between major food drives.

Low-wage workers, fixed-income seniors and the recently unemployed in Martin County depend on House of Hope’s Food Pantry program to help fill the gaps of what they are able to afford. “When people are in such a state that they are deciding whether to fill a prescription or fill the gas tank, being able to receive food from House of Hope is a great relief,” said Kathy Carmody, senior program manager at House of Hope.

House of Hope usually experiences a dip in resources at this time of the year – between major holiday drives and the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive in May, which brings in thousands of tons of food.

Over the past two years, this cyclical problem has been compounded by the prevailing economic climate. Declining jobs and rising prices are plunging more and more families into crisis, as seen by the more than 50 percent increase in requests for food at House of Hope.

To help stock the shelves for their neighbors in need, the public can take advantage of two significant efforts throughout March:

• Publix Super Markets in Martin County will provide shoppers with the opportunity to buy a bag of groceries for House of Hope. This effort begins Feb. 27 and runs through April 2.

• Girl Scouts in Martin County will be conducting their annual food drive for House of Hope on March 13. Scout troops will distribute about 8,000 door hangers on March 6 to ask people to fill up bags of food to leave outside on March 13 for the Girl Scouts to pick up and deliver to House of Hope. The Girl Scouts plan other efforts during March, and details will be coming soon.

The types of nonperishable food items needed include canned tomato products, fruit, vegetables, non-condensed soup, canned or powdered milk, canned meat and fish, cereal, rice, beans and pasta.

Donations of food or thrift store items may be also be brought to any of House of Hope branch:

• Stuart: 2484 SE Bonita St., (772) 286-4673

• Jensen Beach: 1313 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, (772) 225-1060

• Indiantown: 15516 Osceola St, (772) 597-6390

• Hobe Sound: 11760 SE Dixie Hwy., (772) 545-9342

House of Hope is a nonprofit agency that provides food, clothing, case management and emergency financial assistance to Martin County people in need. The agency is Martin County’s largest provider of food to the hungry, and serves as a safety net for thousands of families, working people and senior citizens who are struggling through hard times.

For more information about House of Hope, call (772) 286-4673). Resources for conducting a food drive at your business, neighborhood or other group is available at www.hohmartin.org.