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Hope Is Blooming This April ?? See How You Can Help

Dear Hopers,
 
April is a beautiful time of year in our corner of paradise. Fresh blooms are everywhere, sunsets feel a little more golden, and the weather invites us all to spend more time outdoors.
 
At the same time, for many of our neighbors, this month – like every month – comes with real challenges. Families are making difficult choices about how to stretch a limited income, keep up with rent and utility bills, and afford essential care.
 
That’s why we are so grateful to be here, together with you, offering support that makes a meaningful difference. From food distribution to financial assistance, and with a caring team ready to help families plan for a more stable future, your generosity helps make hope tangible.
 
In this issue, you’ll find many ways to get involved — from donating food through your letter carrier, to adopting a crop at our Growing Hope Farm, to learning more about our HOME Sharing program.
 
And of course, we hope you’ll explore the many fun and rewarding ways to volunteer with us.
 
Thank you, as always, for being part of this community of care.
 
With gratitude,
House of Hope
The Letter Carriers' Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday, May 9th! 
 
It’s that time of year again for the nation’s largest single-day food drive. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive makes it easy to lend a helping hand and make a meaningful difference for neighbors facing food insecurity. As you shop in the coming weeks, consider taking advantage of BOGO (buy one, get one free) deals and setting aside those extra items to donate — it’s a simple way to double your impact.
 
Whether you’re cleaning out your pantry or picking up a few extra items at the store, your donation truly matters.
 
Here’s how you can help: 
  • Fill a bag with non-perishable food items using the yellow House of Hope bag you will receive in the mail or any grocery bag.
  • Leave it near your mailbox on Saturday, May 9, before your letter carrier arrives. They’ll be collecting donations from neighborhoods across Martin County. 
  • 100% of donations stay local, directly supporting families and individuals in our community.
 
Want to go a step further? 


We’re looking for volunteers to help collect and sort donations at the post office. If you’d like to lend a hand, sign up for a shift and be part of this impactful event: Volunteer Sign-Up Here


This drive is a powerful way to support our neighbors in need, and every contribution counts. Whether you’re donating food or volunteering your time, you’re helping put meals on tables right here in our community.
 
To learn more about how this effort supports local families, visit our website


Thank you for helping us make this year’s food drive a success. Together, we can Stamp Out Hunger in Martin County!
We’re proud to share that we’ve once again earned a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency!  


Candid is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that evaluates charities based on the depth and openness of the information they share with the public. Its Platinum Seal is the highest level of recognition, awarded to organizations that demonstrate exceptional transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. 

House of Hope has earned Candid's highest level of recognition for 11 consecutive years - a reflection of our ongoing commitment to earning your trust and using every resource to make a meaningful difference in our community.


We’re proud of the work we do together and grateful for your continued support. You can learn more about our programs, results, and impact by visiting our Nonprofit Profile here.


Thank you for being part of this important work! 
Celebrate Earth Month and make a lasting impact! 
  
Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the planet and our community? By adopting a crop at our Growing Hope Farm or Nutrition Gardens, you’ll help provide fresh, nutritious produce and education opportunities for local families in need, all year long!  
  
Your support keeps our farm thriving, from planting to harvest, ensuring healthy food reaches our pantries and partners. Join us in growing a greener, healthier future!  
  
Learn more on our website. 
In recognition of National Affordable Housing Month, House of Hope is proud to spotlight our HOME Sharing Program - a creative, community-based approach to expanding housing options right here in Martin County.

HOME Sharing connects homeowners who have an available bedroom and bathroom with individuals seeking safe, stable, and affordable housing. It’s a thoughtful way to make use of existing space while helping a neighbor in need.


If you have extra space in your home, this program gives you the opportunity to open your door to someone who could benefit from a stable place to live. For the Home Seeker, it offers a more affordable and supportive housing option in a community where housing costs continue to rise.


Whether you’re looking to give back, build meaningful connections, or simply make better use of your home, HOME Sharing provides guidance and support every step of the way to ensure a positive experience for both participants.


Together, we can create more housing opportunities and strengthen our community one home at a time.


To learn more, visit our website or contact housing@hohmartin.org or call (772) 286-4673. 
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helped make our Easter holiday distribution a success! Whether you donated money, food, items, or gave your time as a volunteer, you made a real difference. 
 
We are stronger together, and because of your generosity, countless families had the support they needed this holiday. We are honored to serve as a resource for our community, ensuring hope is always within reach. 
Top Chef Martin County 2026 was record-breaking, community-powered, and truly unforgettable! Local community members stepped up to the stove to showcase their culinary talents, all for a great cause. Over 200 guests gathered for a night of delicious food, friendly competition, and BIG impact. 
  
Together, we raised over $118,000 to support House of Hope’s mission of empowering our community to overcome hunger and hardship. 
  
Huge congrats to Nannette Walsh for bringing home Top Dish and Top Chef and Andy Popky for winning Top Fundraiser! 
  
A heartfelt thank you to Jason Stocks, Chef and Owner of District Table & Bar and Colab Kitchen, and his amazing staff, led by Laurrie Wood and Taylor Mohlmann, for hosting this annual event & supporting House of Hope. Special thanks to our Emcee, Ed Ciampi, Martin County Commissioner, for his continued dedication to this event year after year and for bringing energy and engagement to the evening!  
  
Our esteemed judges: 
  • Taylor Mohlmann - 'Chef de Quisine' at District Table & Bar 
  • Baldy Eats - Food Reviewer 
  • Amy Malaney - 2025 Top Fundraiser, Top Dish, AND Top Chef Winner 
  
2026 Contestants: 
  • James W. Campo, CFP  
  • Dr. George Lee “GL” Drake 
  • Rabbi Matthew Durbin 
  • Andy Popky 
  • Nannette Walsh 
  • Linda Weiksnar 
We Couldn't Do It Without Our Fantastic Sponsors:  
  
DECADENT SPONSORS: 
Crary Buchanan, PA – Attorneys at Law 
District Table & Bar 
Royal Remington Toy Soldiers 
  
DELICACY SPONSORS: 
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Joseph Serra Financial Advisor 
  
SAVORY SPONSORS: 
American Commercial Glass 
Ashley Capital 
Bob & Linda Sander 
The Medical Staff at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
HBKS Wealth Advisors 
New Wave Group 
Sue & Tom Whittington 
  
SUGAR & SPICE SPONSORS: 
Deborah Lovequist 
Hans VanDerlip Sales Associate at REMAX of Stuart
Liberty Builder Group 
Premier Group at ONE Sotheby's International Realty 
Wong Family Foundation 
  
A special thank you to these incredible restaurants for their mouthwatering bites: 


Circa69 | Colab Kitchen | District Table & Bar | DSK Meal Planning and Catering | Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar | House of Hope's Elisabeth Lahti Nutrition Center Chef Angie W. and volunteers | Old Havana Cafe | Ooo La La | Salerno Pizza | Spritz Stuart  |  Unique Sweets Florida
 
And a big thanks to our in-kind donors who helped make our raffle baskets unforgettable:


Banyan Creek Golf Club, Blueline Surf & Paddle Co., Burny Pit Stop, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Elliott Museum, Florida Oceanographic Society, Gumbo Limbo Coastal Chic, HEW Fitness, Keith Kilgallen, Piper's Landing Yacht & Country Club, Play Money Pinball & Arcade Bar, Square Grouper, Stuart Aesthetics, Summer Crush Winery, The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast, The Hope Shop - Stuart Thrift Store, Tootsies, and 11 Maple Street.
 
A special shoutout to Brigite and John Babine, our sound extraordinaires, and to Steven Martine for his incredible photography! 
  
To all Top Chef contributors, near and far, and especially our guests, chefs, judges, sponsors, and restaurants, your support made this event a resounding success! Here's to a record breaking year, and looking forward to the next!    
  
Check out all the fun moments in our 2026 Top Chef Martin County photo album!
  
Interested in being a part of this exciting event next year? Click here or contact events@hohmartin.org or (772)286-4673 x1031 for more details!
We recently gathered for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at Monarch Country Club to celebrate the incredible volunteers who are the heartbeat of our mission.

At House of Hope, we often say we couldn’t do this without our volunteers - and it’s true. Their time, energy, and compassion power everything we do. They are the hands and hearts behind every meal served, every donation sorted, and every neighbor supported.

Last fiscal year, their impact was extraordinary:
That’s more than 42,000 hours of kindness, care, and commitment poured directly into our community.


Whether it’s sorting food, packing donations, or simply offering a listening ear, our volunteers show up again and again - making a real difference for families facing hardship.


To each and every volunteer who gives their heart and hands to this mission, thank you. Your service not only supports our work, it strengthens our entire community.
To see that impact in action, we’ve created a fun and heartfelt video showcasing the difference our volunteers make. Watch this special edition of An Animated Story of Hope by clicking here!  


Interested in joining this incredible group? We’d love to have you. Visit our website to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
This month, we have a very special double feature for Rob’s Friends & Neighbors columns from March and April! 


Rob highlights that Martin County has taken an important step toward addressing the affordable housing shortage by allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), creating new opportunities for safe, dignified housing for local workers, seniors, and young adults. House of Hope is supporting this effort through its HOME Sharing program, helping connect homeowners and renters while expanding housing options in the community. To read March's full column, visit the Friends & Neighbors website


In April’s column, Rob shares how House of Hope prepares for increased demand during the summer months, when school closures and seasonal economic shifts lead more families to rely on food assistance. He also highlights the community’s role in supporting neighbors through the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, read the full column on 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! 
House of Hope has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. There's something for everyone! Your time and effort make a significant difference in our community.
 
See below for current volunteer needs:


Nutrition Education Program
Help make a healthy difference in our community this summer by volunteering with our Nutrition Education Program.
  • Volunteers assist with setting up classes, preparing simple ingredients, supporting activities, and creating a warm, encouraging environment where kids can learn healthy cooking habits and wellness skills. If you’re interested, please email natasha@hohmartin.org.


Summer Classroom Assistant
House of Hope is seeking caring and dependable volunteers to support our youth programs at the Golden Gate Center for Enrichment in Stuart and the KinDoo Family Center for Enrichment in Indiantown.
  • Volunteers will assist during our elementary-aged programs by helping with a variety of activities and classroom tasks. Programs can include art, STEM, educational enrichment, hands-on projects, and other engaging experiences designed to help children learn, grow, and thrive. Interested in more information, email natasha@hohmartin.org.


Stuart Food Pantry
Location: 2484 SE Bonita Street, Stuart
Shifts:
  • Mondays: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM 
  • Tuesdays: 9:00 AM -12:30 PM 
  • Wednesdays: 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM 
  • Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM 
  • Fridays: 9:00 AM- 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM 
For more information, click here.


Warehouse Administrator Volunteer
Location: 2484 SE Bonita Street, Stuart
Our warehouse manager is seeking support with data entry and basic administrative tasks.
Schedule: Flexible, Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Ideal for someone who:
  • Is detail oriented and organized
  • Is comfortable working on a computer
  • Enjoys behind the scenes support roles
  • Can work independently once trained
Schedule: Flexible, Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM


Growing Hope Farm & Packing House
  • Monday: AM/PM – Greenhouse projects, orchard, raised beds, landscaping
  • Tuesday:
  • AM – Harvest
  • PM – Greenhouse projects / Packing House
  • Thursday: AM/PM – Greenhouse projects, orchard, raised beds, landscaping
  • Friday:
  • AM – Harvest & Packing House
  • PM – Greenhouse projects, orchard, raised beds, landscaping
For more information, click here.

 

Stuart Thrift Store

  • Mondays & Fridays: 9:00 am- 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm- 4:30 pm
  • Wednesdays: 12:00 pm- 4:30 pm
For more information, click here.


Jensen Beach Food Pantry
  • Monday 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
  • Wednesday 12:00 PM-4:30 PM
For more information, click here.

 

Hobe Sound Branch

  • Thrift: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
For more information, click here.

 

Indiantown Branch

  • Pantry: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM or 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
For more information, click here.
  • Thrift: Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
For more information, click here.


Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive 
  • Saturday, May 9th: This event brings in an incredible amount of food in just one day, and we rely heavily on volunteers at post office locations to help collect donations from letter carriers. This is a critical part of the process, and without that support, we simply couldn’t keep up with the volume.
If you’re able to lend a hand, we would truly appreciate it. Volunteer with us and be part of the impact. Sign up by clicking HERE. 


For more information about volunteering, visit our website or contact Natasha at natasha@hohmartin.org.
House of Hope of Martin County
House of Hope is a nonprofit agency that provides food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, information & referral, life-changing case management, family centered coaching, workforce development, housing assistance, enrichment and nutrition education services to area residents in need.
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DID YOU KNOW? 


If you donate appreciated stocks to House of Hope, you can bypass capital gains taxes and claim a charitable deduction for the full market value of the stock.

Please consider supporting our mission via bequests, gift annuities, qualified charitable distributions, estate planning, stock transfers and other planned giving opportunities.


Use this information to process your gift: 
Legal name: Jesus House of Hope, Inc. 
Tax ID: #59-2422998. 
Mailing address: 2484 SE Bonita St, Stuart, FL 34997


Or contact Amy Belisle at 772-286-4673 ext.1002 or amyb@hohmartin.org for more information.
Keep up to date on all of our events and activities by following us on social media or visiting our website at hohmartin.org.
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