Drops of Kindness Create Ripple Effect and Gratitude in Banner Lake
Hobe Sound, Fla – During this global crisis, people are stepping up to do what they can to support one another. In Hobe Sound, the actions of some thoughtful and generous locals are having a significant and positive impact in the Banner Lake Community - and it’s creating a ripple effect throughout the community.
The pandemic has been an especially difficult time for local restaurants. The Grove Pizza Cucina & Wine Bar, a popular Hobe Sound spot that relies heavily on its seasonal customers, was preparing for significant loss due to the impact from the coronavirus. That’s when Jupiter Island resident Ann Jackson stepped in with the idea to support The Grove by purchasing meals that could be distributed to those in need. Thanks to the generosity of Ann and her husband Ken Wilson, more than 1,200 meals were provided to families in the Banner Lake Community.
Inspired by their actions, another local couple took the torch and provided financial support to provide an additional 900 meals over three weeks from The Grove as well as two additional Hobe Sound restaurants - Amato's Ristorante & Pizzeria, and Taste Casual Dining.
The giving didn’t stop there. Another local, Jean Calhoun, donated another 600 meals to support those local restaurants and the Banner Lake community neighborhood and the momentum is sure to keep going.
All meals were donated to the Banner Lake Club, a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life for residents in Hobe Sound, especially those in the Banner Lake Community who require financial, social and educational support. Banner Lake Club operates and maintains a Community Center that is home to a variety of programs and services that are having a positive and transformative impact on the lives of children and families throughout the Banner Lake community and beyond. The Club’s new Community Center made for the perfect location to successfully distribute the meals throughout the neighborhood.
Another anonymous donor also provided funding for Banner Lake to hire and pay the salaries of two individuals who lost their restaurants jobs during the pandemic. These employees will be paid for eight weeks and perform daily cleaning services of highly touched areas at the Banner Lake Community Center to keep the building safe and sanitized.
Other impactful gifts were also recently made to the Banner Lake Club in the form of new transportation. A brand new 30-person passenger bus was donated by the Loblolly Community Foundation. A 2011 refurbished van was also donated by the Boys & Girls Clubs which had originally been donated to them by the Hobe Sound Community Chest. These vehicles will be used to transport students to and from BLAST (Banner Lake After School Time), which provides youth, ages 5 through 18, with free, after school and summer programming including homework assistance, access to technology, arts and crafts, music, fitness and nutrition services and leadership development opportunities.
“We’re so grateful to have such devoted board members and generous community partners and supporters. Being able to provide basic needs such as food, employment and transportation is critical to helping create transformative changes in the lives of the children and families in the Banner Lake Community,” said Wendy Reynoso, Executive Director of the Banner Lake Club.
To make it easier for people to connect with the Banner Lake Club and the many programs and services offered at the Community Center, the Club recently launched its new website. Visitors can find information about the Banner Lake Academy and other youth and educational programs, the Community Café, Food Pantry and other Senior Services as well as ways to volunteer.
About Banner Lake Club, Inc.
The Banner Lake Club (BLC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Hobe Sound residents, primarily those in and around the Banner Lake Community who require income assistance. Housed in a new Community Center completed in September 2019, BLC provides community and educational services including a free after school and summer program called B.L.A.S.T. (Banner Lake After School Time) for children ages 5-18 as well as a new Academy for kindergarten and first graders. BLC also has a Teen Program, a Food Pantry, Community Café, Soup Kitchen and a Senior Meals Program that delivers meals to qualifying seniors. For more information visit their website, call 772-402-5167 or email office@bannerlake.org.