We have some exciting garden news to share.
Three new Nutrition Education Gardens have officially found their homes. Through our partnership with Martin County Parks and Recreation, we’re bringing hands-on, interactive learning directly to local kids and families. At each site, kids eagerly jumped in to help with the planting and had an absolute blast getting their hands dirty.
We can’t wait to watch these gardens grow and to see the confidence, curiosity, and connection they’ll continue to inspire in the months ahead.
A special thank you to Martin County Board of County Commissioners Sarah Heard and Stacey Heatherington for funding the gardens in their districts, and to Urban Abundance FL for helping install them and bringing these spaces to life.
One of our favorite moments? Hearing the children’s joyful surprise:
“That garden is for us?!!”
Yes. Yes, it is. 🌱 |
Putting Food Insecurity in the Spotlight
Food insecurity is a serious issue in many communities, including our own. It isn’t always visible. Often, it’s a crisis happening behind closed doors. Families unsure how they will put food on the table tomorrow or even later this week. For those living it, the impact is immediate and deeply personal.
On January 11, CROS Ministries invited House of House to join them with Nathalie Pozo on On the Record on WPBF 25 News to shine a light on food insecurity in Martin County.
Our CEO, Rob Ranieri, shared insight into the realities many local families face and discussed meaningful ways our community can come together to help end hunger.
Click here to watch the segment, with Rob featured from 14:00 to 19:15. Food insecurity may be unseen, but its impact is deeply felt. This conversation helps explain why.
We invite you to share this segment to help raise awareness, spark conversation, and support our mission to end food insecurity in our community. |
The 8th Annual Top Chef Martin County is back at District Table and Bar on Monday, April 13, 2026!
Six amateur chefs will go head-to-head in an exhilarating culinary showdown, where contestants will have just 45 minutes to transform ingredients from a surprise pantry of items commonly found in House of Hope’s Client Choice pantries and production farm into a dish that will wow the judges. Each contestant is competing for the prestigious title of 2026 Top Chef Martin County.The pressure is on to present a dish to impress the judges!
Meet your 2026 Chefs:
🔥 James W. Campo, CFP
🔥 Rabbi Matthew Durbin
🔥 Andy Popky
🔥 Nannette Walsh
🔥 Linda Weiksnar
🔥 6th Chef Coming Soon!
Each Top Chef contestant crowdfunds to earn points towards their overall score and raise dollars that directly support House of Hope's important mission to empower our community to overcome hunger and hardship.
Join us at 7 pm for a night of culinary excitement, featuring tantalizing small plate tastings from top local restaurants, a showdown that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, and plenty more surprises in store!
Act fast – tickets to this event sell out quickly every year! Secure your spot today at hohmartin.org/topchef |
House of Hope Receives $30,000 Grant through Chick-fil-A
True Inspiration Awards
We're thrilled to share that we've been named a grant recipient for the 2026 Chick-Fil-A True Inspiration Awards®, receiving a total of $30,000 from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to advance our efforts in the Martin County community. With this contribution, we plan to continue our mission to empower our community to overcome hunger and hardship.
The True Inspiration Awards were established in 2015 to carry on Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy's legacy of generosity and community service. To be selected, a nonprofit must work to address a community need that aligns with one of Chick-fil-A's Global Impact priorities: Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for our Communities and Caring for our Planet.
We are so appreciative of their ongoing support! This generous investment from Chick-fil-A, Inc. represents more than a grant. It’s a partnership that will help drive real, lasting change for families facing hunger in Martin County. |
February is about more than hearts and flowers. It’s National American Heart Month, and we’d love to invite you to a meaningful challenge. This Heart Month, help support the heart health of the individuals and families we serve by donating heart-healthy food items.
♥ Choose protein-packed beans, peas, and lentils, such as black beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas).
♥ Select whole-grain items like brown or wild rice, quinoa, oats, and whole-wheat or whole-grain pasta.
♥ Reach for unsalted nuts, seeds, and nut butters like almond or peanut, which are rich in heart-healthy fats.
These nutrition tips benefit all of us. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women, making it more important than ever to be mindful of how we nourish our bodies.
At House of Hope, our Nutrition Education program helps both youth and adults build healthier habits through fun, engaging tools, including our Traveling Nutrition Education Garden, which regularly visits schools and community events. This Heart Month, let’s make healthier choices together and encourage lifelong, heart-healthy habits.
Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off during business hours at any Pantry location. Visit hohmartin.org/locations for a list of locations and hours.
For more ways to give, please visit hohmartin.org/donate. |
In recognition of American Heart Month, House of Hope's CEO Rob Ranieri highlights how access to healthy food, nutrition education, and wellness programs helps reduce heart disease risk in low-income communities. Through pantries, gardens, Growing Hope Farm, and free enrichment classes, we are improving health outcomes and strengthening household stability across the Treasure Coast.
To read this month's full column, visit the Friends & Neighbors website.
House of Hope is grateful to Tom Campenni, founder of the Friends & Neighbors digital newspaper, for the opportunity to keep our community informed and connected to our mission to empower Martin County! |
✨ A Winter Night with Lasting Impact ✨
The 4th Annual Cirque Du Soirée, presented by the Pedersen Family Foundation, brought our community together for an unforgettable evening in support of House of Hope.
Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club was transformed into a stunning winter wonderland, setting the stage for a night filled with energy and connection. The evening began with a festive cocktail hour featuring the smooth sounds of Frankie Benitez, before guests enjoyed high-energy music from the Soul Survivors Band, captivating performances by J&G Entertainment, including rollerblade artists who appeared to glide across ice, an exciting live auction, interactive tabletop gaming, a card reader experience, and our ever-popular Bling Bar.
Most importantly, the evening raised funds for Project HOPE supporting case management, financial assistance, job search support, and healthy food distribution for neighbors facing hardship in Martin County.
Thank you to our sponsors, partners, and guests whose generosity made this evening possible and ensures hope continues. |
A heartfelt thank you to our in kind donors: Albany Aesthetics, Athena Plastic Surgery, Berry Fresh Cafe, Clifford & Karen Dykes, Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, Dultmeier Photography, Girls Downtown, Golden Raes Head Spa, Higher Self Aesthetics, Island Cotton Company, Juno Shoe Girl Boutique, Kneaded Escape Massage & Spa, Martin Downs Golf Club, Oceana Coffee, Once Upon A Child Stuart, PRP Wine International, Relive Health, River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp, Salt of the Earth Halotherapy & Spa, Snappy Turtle, Sound Vibrational Healing, St. Lucie Jewelry & Coins, Style Encore, The Barn Theatre, The Black Marlin, The Catch Neighborhood Bar & Grill, The Hope Shop Stuart Thrift Store, The Mills House Hotel, The Yacht & Country Club Stuart, Unity of Stuart, and 1 Fitness Inc.
Special thanks to the team at Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club, photographer Steven Martine, cocktail singer Frankie Benitez, auctioneer Reed Hartman, card reader Amelia Laiacona, and ECP Event Rentals & Design for helping bring the evening to life.
While the night shimmered with winter charm, its impact will continue long after the lights dim. Be sure to explore the full 2026 Cirque Du Soirée photo album on Facebook by clicking here. |
We are deeply grateful to Publix Super Market Charities for their generous $12,500 grant in support of our Hunger Relief Programs. This meaningful investment strengthens essential initiatives such as our Client Choice Pantries, the Elisabeth Lahti Nutrition Center, and our Growing Hope Production Farm, helping ensure that families in need have consistent access to nutritious food and vital resources.
The next time you shop at Publix, please consider thanking them on behalf of House of Hope for their continued partnership and commitment to fighting hunger and strengthening our community. |
On February 6, the Adam Ezra Group took the stage at The Lyric Theatre and transformed an unforgettable concert into a powerful act of giving back to our community.
Through their nonprofit, RallySound, the band partnered with House of Hope to collect nonperishable food donations for local families facing hunger the month leading up to the show! With donation bins available in the Lyric lobby before, during, and after the performance, generous concertgoers responded with overwhelming support, providing a much-needed boost to our food pantries.
We were also honored to have our CEO Rob Ranieri share a few words with the audience that evening about the impact of their generosity and the importance of our mission.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Adam Ezra Group, RallySound, and The Lyric Theatre for using the power of music to support neighbors in need. Their commitment to community is a beautiful reminder that when creativity and compassion come together, real change happens. |
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