House of Hope Special Event

The 25th Anniversary ~ Silver Celebration

House of Hope marked its 25th anniversary in 2009 and hosted a Silver Celebration at its main Stuart location on March 13.

About 250 people attended the event, held 4:30 to 7 p.m. March 13 at the House of Hope offices, and the main program honored founders and key leaders.

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Among the honorees were Robert & Toddie Neal and David & Marni Abate – the four people who signed the agency’s articles of incorporation, which were approved in March 1984.

The event was designed to highlight House of Hope’s vital role in Martin County to provide basic human needs for people struggling through difficult times. The agency provides food, clothing, case management and emergency financial assistance to people who work hard but find themselves unable to make ends meet.

Attendees at the March 13 event toured the Stuart facility – which houses offices, a food pantry and warehouse, and a thrift store.

During the past 25 years:

• House of Hope has served 59,375 Martin County families while responding to more than 155,400 requests for assistance.

• House of Hope has given out 1,612 tons of food – equaling about 3.7 million meals – to more than 44,500 families.

• House of Hope’s 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.

Today, House of Hope operates four locations -- Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown and Jensen Beach -- each with a thrift store and service center for clients. The stores provide about one-third of the agency’s cash income, and 95 percent of all donations are dedicated to helping clients.

“Most residents and visitors see only the beautiful life of Martin County,” executive director Patrick Slattery said. “But thousands of low-wage service workers, senior citizens and single parents are struggling to keep up with the basic necessities of life.”

During its silver anniversary year, House of Hope is highlighting its community services, which have been more vital than ever during the downward spiral of the economy over the past couple of years.

“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.”

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