Dear Friends, 



We hope you will “Bite Into History” with us on September 12th! Along with our partners at Old Havana Cafe, we’ll be making history by building the world’s longest Cuban sandwich. This celebration of community is also raising awareness of our mission, and everyone will have a chance to enjoy a piece of a really great Cuban sandwich! 

We are humbled by the generosity of so many community partners and funders who support our mission. Please read below to see how many of these partners have supported House of Hope recently. If you connect with them throughout the community, be sure to thank them on behalf of everyone we serve! 

The most awaited "end-of-summer" event is here! The holiday store at our Hope Shop is NOW OPEN, and as Stuart Magazine's columnist Ambie Hay says, our thrift store is the one "not to miss" on the Treasure Coast!

Whether you are making Cuban sandwich history, shopping for holiday deals at the Hope Shop, or participating in any of our upcoming special events (see details below!), remember that you are making a difference for tens of thousands of area residents who struggle daily with food insecurity. 

We value your interest in House of Hope!

Sincerely,  

House of Hope 

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF HISTORY! 

The countdown is on! Join House of Hope and Old Havana Cafe on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at L. Cpl. Justin Wilson Memorial Park in Palm City as our community comes together to build a 400-foot Cuban sandwich in an exciting attempt to make world history. 

The event's Presenting Sponsor is the Doris M. Carter Family Foundation, who has generously amplified the impact of this program with a matching gift up to $15,000.  

The event kicks off at 11:00 AM, with sandwich building starting promptly at 12:00 PM. Spectator admission is FREE, so bring your family and friends to enjoy fun activities, cheer on our history-making sandwich builders, and experience this one-of-a-kind community celebration.  

After the record attempt, delicious Cuban sandwich portions will be available for purchase. Every guest will have the chance to "Buy One, Give One" as a way to feed our community at the same time. 

All proceeds will support House of Hope's mission to empower our community to overcome hunger and hardship through healthy food access, education, financial assistance, workforce development, and other essential support services. 

Whether you're building, cheering, sponsoring, or donating, there's a place for everyone at this historic community event. We hope you'll join us for this unforgettable day of community, celebration, and history in the making! 



Questions? Visit hohmartin.org/sandwich or contact the Events Team at 772-286-4673 ext. 1031 or events@hohmartin.org. 

House of Hope’s 2025 Hope Awards Recognition Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, September 17 at 8:30 AM at Monarch Country Club in Palm City.

Each year, we host the Hope Awards Recognition Breakfast to honor the agencies, businesses, individuals, faith-based organizations, and neighborhoods that perform extraordinary work hand-in-hand with House of Hope. The event celebrates community partners who support our mission to empower our community to overcome hunger and hardship.



Our honorees have long-term, dedicated relationships with House of Hope and actively contribute effort, expertise, creativity, and resources, allowing us to extend our reach with enhanced services and opportunities for local residents.

A big THANK YOU to HBKS Wealth Advisors, our Diamond Sponsor, for supporting this year’s Hope Awards.

Congratulate our Honorees!



Lesley and Jon Ludlam - Barbara Trimble Legacy Award

Andy and Lorraine Popky

Ashley Capital

Rob Morris, Chick-fil-A Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. & Okeechobee and Turnpike

Matthew Shportun, Chick-fil-A Treasure Coast Square Mall

Nathan Buchanan, Chick-fil-A Stuart & Jensen Beach

Brittany Ainsworth, Chick-fil-A Port St. Lucie

Children's Services Council of Martin County

Chuck Lipka

George Stokus

Jay Lucas

John and Debra Truman

Ladies of the Preserve

Laurrie Wood, District Table & Bar

Loblolly Community Foundation

Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc

Rural Neighborhoods

Stefanie Steinkraus

Suncoast Textile Recycling

Join in on the celebration by visiting www.hohmartin.org/hopeawards.

Now Available -  event sponsorships, tickets to attend the breakfast, and the opportunity to congratulate honorees with a printed message in our event program! 

If you have any questions, please contact us at events@hohmartin.org or 772-286-4673 x1031 with any questions.

House of Hope is built on collaboration and strengthened by the trust and confidence of so many vital partnerships with local changemakers and philanthropists. During the past few months, we have received grant awards from several of these partners who empower our programs and services.

As stakeholders in our mission, please share your appreciation of the support listed below if you find yourself interacting with their business, organization or representatives!

BUSINESS PARTNERS 

Bank of America awarded House of Hope a Basic Needs - General Wellness Grant and BankUnited awarded a Community Contribution Grant, both in direct support of our food service operations, including Growing Hope Farm, Elisabeth Lahti Nutrition Center, client choice pantries and nutrition gardens.  

Through the team at Treasure Coast, Macy’s awarded a Mission Every One grant to support mobile learning labs of our Enrichment Centers' STEM/STEAM programs for elementary-aged students. A JCPenney Communities Foundation Leader Grant is supporting our workforce development job readiness programs. The Wawa Foundation has provided a grant to support our programs providing “Food for a Healthier Treasure Coast.” 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

Mariner Sands Charity Week is empowering our food services with a generous grant to keep healthy food available at no cost through our pantries and food bank partners.

Grant awards from the Hobe Sound Community Chest and Christ Memorial Chapel keep client services (food, clothes closets, financial assistance, workforce development, etc.) available in Hobe Sound. Hobe Sound Community Chest also supports our Gardening to Grow Healthy Communities program offered at Banner Lake Club and other partners in Hobe Sound.

The Loblolly Community Foundation provided funding for salary support for key program staff, as well as funding assistance for the KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown and funding for utilities in the Hobe Sound and Indiantown location.

The Lois & Reginald Collier Fund - Food Security of the Community Foundation of Palm Beach & Martin Counties has funded our “Pathways to Prosperity: Culinary & Agricultural Training Initiative,” where four interns will complete either culinary or agricultural internships to increase their employable skills. 

United Way of Martin County awarded House of Hope with three Community Impact Awards that will provide vital support for our (1) Client Choice Pantries, (2) Project HOPE (Helping Others Progress through Empowerment) and (3) Enrichment programs in the coming year.   

For all of the partners listed, these grants are just one of the many ways they empower House of Hope!

If you would like to learn more about our programs and services, please visit our website by clicking HERE.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1, and we have the most active months yet to come. The need for essential supplies is growing… especially for our clients experiencing homelessness.

You can help by:  

• Hosting a hurricane supply drive 
• Collecting and donating items independently 
• Making a monetary donation to help purchase essential items

Click here to download the full list of supplies needed or click on the Hurricane Season graphic above.

Need help getting started? Visit our website, contact Thiana at thiana@hohmartin.org or 772-286-4673 ext. 1009.

Don't forget your own hurricane prep! Visit the Martin County website for vital resources, a comprehensive supply checklist, evacuation zone information, and more. 

Thank you for your ongoing support!

This summer, we brought two exciting new enrichment programs to our Golden Gate and KinDoo Family Centers, giving students a summer full of creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning.

At the Golden Gate Center, students traveled the world without ever leaving Stuart! Each week, our Around the World program focused on a different country where students learned fun facts, explored special traditions, listened to stories, and created crafts inspired by the country they were learning about. During Japan Week, we even received a special package all the way from Japan from our Site Coordinator's daughter! The students were so surprised and excited as they explored authentic items and even got to try traditional Japanese snacks.

Over at the KinDoo Family Center, students experienced a truly Epic Summer Adventure. Each week, they immersed themselves in a new adventure, from becoming astronauts and attending Spy School to learning acting and scriptwriting during Actor Week. They wrapped up the summer by performing an epic play inspired by everything they learned throughout the program.



Programs like these give children the opportunity to learn through creativity, imagination, and play while building confidence, friendships, and a love of learning. We had an incredible summer and can't wait to see what adventures next year will bring! 

Opportunities like these are made possible through the generosity of our community. Thanks to the support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners, we're able to provide enriching experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Special thanks to Macy's and Wong Family Foundation for directly supporting these programs for elementary aged children. 

To learn more about our program offerings, please click here.

Our CEO Rob Ranieri was the featured speaker on WQCS’s In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media. He discussed the breadth and scope of House of Hope’s mission and services and how we serve multiple counties with a broad spectrum of programs that help families build greater stability and independence. If you think you know all there is to know about House of Hope, we think you’ll be surprised by listening in on Rob’s interview.

A huge THANK YOU to WQCS for the opportunity to share our story and spotlight the impactful work being done to support local families.



Listen to the full conversation here and please share!

The Hope Shop’s much anticipated Holiday Shop is NOW OPEN!

The Hope Shop’s much anticipated Holiday Shop opened last week! Come discover festive decor, unique gifts, and holiday treasures while supporting House of Hope programs and the season of giving.

Visit our website by clicking HERE for location information and hours of operation. 



We hope to see you soon for the best selections for this holiday season!

Another great highlight of our BEST IN CLASS thrift store was in a recent Stuart Magazine article: “Guide to Thrifting Like a Pro with Ambie Hay”

Ambie called The Hope Shop as the “Thrift not to miss” in Stuart. Her advice was: “Don’t miss the corner dedicated to artwork. The furniture selection is also amazing. For clothing, they have a boutique area with upscale brands.”

Tennis and Pickleball Registrations are now OPEN!

Join us for another exciting weekend of friendly tennis and pickleball competition! The Serve Some Hope Charity Tournament returns to the beautiful Harbour Ridge Lakeside Club, bringing together players, fans, and supporters to raise funds for House of Hope.

The action starts Friday at 4 PM with the Mixed Doubles Tennis Invitational, followed by full tournament days of tennis and pickleball on Saturday and Sunday. We will also be showcasing some exciting silent auction baskets that will be available to bid on all weekend long!

Mark your calendar, gather your doubles team, and prepare for a weekend of fun, competition, and community spirit.

Click Here to register for one of the tournaments. Sponsorship Opportunities are still available!

For more details, please visit our website or contact us at events@hohmartin.org or 772-286-4673 x1031 with any questions.

August is known as National Make-a-Will Month—a reminder of the benefits of creating a will to take care of your family and loved ones. Planning your estate also offers the opportunity to share your gifts in a way that makes a lasting impact in your community. We humbly ask you to consider making a provision in your will, trust, or estate plan for House of Hope.  

By including a gift in your estate plan, you will help ensure that we can continue to empower our community to overcome hunger and hardship for years to come. House of Hope’s work becomes more vital with each passing year, and our hope is that the breadth of our vital programs and services are available as long as there are people in our community who find themselves in need. Your commitment to a planned gift will help make that possible. 

As part of the recent attention to making a last till and testament, we are offering you a link to FreeWill.com to provide valuable insights and guidance as you consider your legacy gift. Please confer with your family and legal counsel to finalize this most important document, and reach out to Amy Belisle on our development team at AmyB@hohmartin.org or 772-286-4673 ext. 1002, to find out how your gift will impact the community through House of Hope’s mission.

For more information, click the image above or email give@hohmartin.org.

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:

Recurring Food Drives at St. Joseph 

St. Joseph Catholic Church will host several weekend food drives by providing empty grocery bags to parishioners the week before each collection.

On the collection weekend, parishioners return the bags filled with non-perishable food and household essentials. 

Volunteers are needed to welcome donors, collect the filled bags, and load donations into House of Hope collection bins. Every helping hand makes a difference in ensuring these generous donations reach families throughout our community. 

Please note this opportunity involves standing, bending, and lifting. Closed-toe shoes are required. Please complete the Episodic Volunteer Form upon arrival.

Click HERE to help with this drive in September, November or December 2026.

Donation Pick-Up Driver- Stuart 

Tuesdays or Fridays: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Weekly Commitment) 

Drive our bread van along a designated route to collect food donations from local partners and deliver them to our distribution warehouse. Volunteers must have a clean driving record. The shift begins with picking up the bread van from our Stuart warehouse, and your support helps ensure food reaches families in need.

Homework Helper- Golden Gate Center for Enrichment

Mondays or Tuesdays 4:00 pm-6:00 pm (Starting September 14)

We’re looking for a caring Homework Helper to support elementary-aged students with reading, writing, and math. Volunteers provide encouragement, guidance, and one-on-one support to help build confidence and strengthen foundational skills in a positive learning environment. A Level 2 background check is required and will be covered by us. Volunteers must have weekly availability during the school year.

Stuart Food Pantry

Location: 2484 SE Bonita Street, Stuart

Shifts:

• Monday: 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 1:00–4:30 p.m.

For more information, click here.

Nutrition Center (Stuart)

Location: 2484 SE Bonita Street, Stuart

Shifts:

• Friday: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Growing Hope Farm & Packing House

Shifts:

Tuesday:

• 8:00–11:00 a.m. | Harvest
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. | Greenhouse Projects & Packing House

Thursday:

• 8:00–11:00 a.m. | Greenhouse Projects, Orchard, Raised Beds & Landscaping
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. | Greenhouse Projects, Orchard, Raised Beds & Landscaping

Friday:

• 8:00–11:00 a.m. | Harvest & Packing House
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. | Greenhouse Projects, Orchard, Raised Beds & Landscaping

Saturday:

• 8:00–11:00 a.m. | Greenhouse Projects, Orchard, Raised Beds & Landscaping

Stuart Thrift & Holiday Store

Shifts:

• Monday: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 1:00–4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: 12:00–4:30 p.m.
• Friday: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 1:00–4:30 p.m.

For more information, click here.

Jensen Beach Food Pantry

Shifts:

• Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Friday: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

For more information, click here.

Hobe Sound Branch

Shifts:

Thrift Store:

• Tuesday: 1:00–4:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 1:00–4:30 p.m.
• Friday: 1:00–4:30 p.m.

For more information, click here.

Indiantown Branch

Shifts:

Pantry:

• Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1:00–4:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1:00–4:30 p.m.

For more information, click here.

Thrift Store:

• Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For more information about volunteering, visit our website or contact Natasha at natasha@hohmartin.org.

This month, Rob’s Friends & Neighbors column highlights the power of collaboration and how partnerships help House of Hope create lasting change in the community.

Rob shares the story of the Copper Key Scholarship Promise, a unique partnership with The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie and Nina Haven Scholarships, Inc. that provides selected Martin County students with full scholarships to Florida colleges, universities or vocational schools. Beyond tuition support, the program surrounds scholars and their families with resources such as tutoring, career coaching, volunteer opportunities, case management and family-centered support.

Read Rob's full column on our 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! 

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, donor advised funds, 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.

#EmpowerMartin