House of Hope Awarded 3 Community Impact Grants from United Way of Martin County

STUART, Fla. – With more than 21,000  people depending on them for assistance every month, House of Hope gratefully accepted three 2024 Community Impact Grants awarded by the United Way of Martin County in June.

 

The three grants, totaling $110,750, will support Project HOPE, which offers an array of cost-free services including basic needs, case management, financial assistance, clothes closets, and referrals to other resources in the community that assists clients with developing plans to become financially independent and self-sustaining; Client Choice Pantries and Food Bank services, which provide individuals and families with dignified and efficient access to healthy and nutritious food and supports 30 other agencies in the area with food and supplies, all at no cost; and Centers for Enrichment, where individuals can take advantage of free classes and services focused on health and wellness, education, English literacy, career readiness, access to technology, and arts and culture.

 

In presenting the award, United Way of Martin County President and CEO Carol Houwaarts-Diez said of House of Hope, “Your dedication to empowering Martin County residents and addressing critical needs is game-changing.”

 

House of Hope has made its mark on the community not only with the number of people served but also the innovative ways it has created to meet its mission. “Food is vital,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri, “and we’re proud that we were able to support our community by distributing 1.3 million pounds of food last year. And that food is made more nutritious thanks to the fresh fruits and vegetables we produce on our Growing Hope Farm.”

 

“But it’s more than the food itself,” Ranieri continued. “It’s the many services we bring together to help our clients set goals for themselves and lay out plans that will lead them to a healthy, empowered future.”

 

This year the United Way awarded 38 community impact grants to 27 nonprofit agencies in Martin County, totaling $958,000. An addition $992,437 was allocated to support other local non-profit program services through direct designations and funding for the United Way's internal programs, including Leaders United, Students United, Ride United, Volunteer United, United Way Holiday Project, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).  That’s a total of $1,951,237 invested in the community in just one year. House of Hope has been a United Way partner since House of Hope was founded in 1984 and continues to work closely with the United Way leadership to address critical needs throughout Martin County.

 

House of Hope is now celebrating its 40th anniversary in a typical House of Hope way – by finding new opportunities to serve people in need. Currently, the staff is inviting the community to donate 40 items for its hurricane-preparedness pantry or 40 items for the school supply drive. “The needs are endless,” Ranieri said, “but fortunately so is the generosity of our community.”

 

To learn more about House of Hope or to make a donation, visit House of Hope’s website at www.hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673.

 

About House of Hope

Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 21,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future. 

 

The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.

 

House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.