Dear Friends, 



Visions of Cuban sandwiches are still dancing in our heads! Our Bite Into History event was a great success for the same reason that any of our efforts succeed: THIS COMMUNITY! 


We are deeply grateful for everyone who joined us or supported us in any way this Hunger Action Month, which included quite an outrageous but effective challenge this year: to break a record by building a 400-foot Cuban sandwich while calling attention to issues around food insecurity.



As we head into fall and the holidays are around the corner, activity is building throughout every part of our mission. Harvests are ramping up at Growing Hope Farm, the inventory sale at the Thrift Store is full of incredible bargains, and we have a variety of events to share with you!


Whether you choose to play, shop, learn, or volunteer... this issue is full of ways for you to be a deeper part of our mission to empower residents to overcome hunger and hardship.  



Hope to see you soon! 

 

Sincerely,  

House of Hope 

We did it! 20 teams, 175 volunteers, 400 feet of ingredients, hundreds of community spectators, a phenomenal spirit of cooperation - and a record for the world’s longest Cuban sandwich!


Many thanks to Chef Chuchi, his team at Old Havana Cafe, and everyone who participated in our Bite Into History event on Saturday, September 12. We couldn’t have done it without all of the volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and the public who came out to cheer us on.


We not only broke a record! We raised more than $40,000 for the House of Hope mission and were able to distribute sandwiches to local nonprofits at the end of the day. 


The pictures tell the story, check out our Facebook photo album.

It’s Hunger Action Month!


In the past year alone, House of Hope distributed 1.6 million pounds of food—with more than half of that total in fresh fruits and vegetables grown and gleaned on our own farm.


With 46% of Martin County households struggling to make ends meet, the need has never been greater. That’s why we’re committed to connecting people with the food and resources they need to thrive.


If you or someone you know needs support, please call us at 772-286-4673—we’re here to help.


Want to take action? Learn how to get involved on our website.

The Hope Shop’s Thrift Inventory Sale is happening now through TOMORROW, September 29! We hope you have the time to stop in, browse the shelves and discover great finds at special prices. From clothing and accessories to home goods and one-of-a-kind treasures, every purchase helps support House of Hope programs in our community.


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


Stop by, find something new to you and shop for a great cause! 

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated every day, and anyone can be a target. Join us for a FREE fraud prevention presentation to learn how to recognize common scams, including phishing, romance scams, bank impersonators, identity theft, fake purchases, investment scams and more. Special thanks to thank our partners at South State Bank for facilitating this valuable program. 


Choose from three opportunities to attend:


Jensen Beach

Friday, October 2 | 2–3 p.m.

Jensen Beach Center for Enrichment (1090 NE Jensen Beach Blvd.)

772.286.4673 ext. 1400

hohmartin.org/jensenbeachcenter


Stuart

Tuesday, October 6 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Golden Gate Center for Enrichment (3225 SE Dixie Hwy.)

772.286.3673 ext. 1600

hohmartin.org/goldengatecenter


Indiantown

Monday, October 19 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

KinDoo Family Center for Enrichment (14557 SW 174th Court)

772.286.4673 ext. 1900

hohmartin.org/kindoocenter


Learn how to spot fraud before it spots you! Register by calling or visiting the website for your preferred House of Hope location.

We’re proud to share that The Hope Shop has been named Best Thrift Shop in Stuart Magazine’s Best of 2026 Awards!  


A heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted for us and continues to support The Hope Shop by shopping, donating and spreading the word. Your support helps make this recognition possible while also helping House of Hope serve our community. 


We’re so grateful to be part of such a generous community! 

We’re thrilled to be Macy’s Charity Partner for their 2026 Local Round Up Campaign from September 15 through October 15. Macy's has been a longtime supporter of our mission, helping us uplift the lives of those in need through generous grants, donations to our thrift store, and employee volunteer efforts. Their commitment to the community has truly touched the heart of our work.

Tennis and Pickleball Registrations are now OPEN! 


Don’t miss this exciting event filled with friendly competition and opportunities to connect with the community! Players of ALL skill levels are welcome. New this year - youth brackets for tennis!


Click Here to register for one of the tennis or pickleball tournaments and learn more about sponsorship opportunities! 

House of Hope is excited to be partnering with Newfield for their 2026 Trick-or-Trot 5K! A big THANK YOU to Newfield for choosing to benefit our mission through this frightfully fun event that leads everyone through the scenic trails of the Kiplinger Conservancy in Palm City.


Run, walk, dress up and give back! Newfield is also encouraging everyone to support our food pantries by bringing non perishable food donations to Newfield Harvest House in advance or on race day.


October 24, 2026

8:00–11:00 a.m.

Registration: $45

Price increases after October 14 at 11:59 p.m.


Click here to learn more and register for the event.

SAVE THE DATES

For information about our 2026-2027 Event Season, visit www.hohmartin.org/events.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for House of Hope’s 2026 Hope Awards Recognition Breakfast at Monarch Country Club! 


Congratulations again to our 2026 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 Fort Pierce

Children's Services Council of Martin County

Chuck Lipka

George Stokus

Jay Lucas

John and Debra Truman

Ladies of the Preserve

The Team at District Table & Bar

Loblolly Community Foundation

Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc

Rural Neighborhoods

Stefanie Steinkraus

Suncoast Textile Recycling


Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, HBKS Wealth Advisors.


Photos from the event will be added to our Facebook albums. 

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.

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

This month, Rob’s Friends & Neighbors column looks back on the record-breaking 400-foot Cuban sandwich and the lessons learned from bringing such an ambitious idea to life. Rob shares how the experience reinforced the importance of strong relationships, teamwork and a community willing to step up for one another.


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! 

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 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

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.


🤝 Outreach Volunteer- throughout our community!

Help us connect with our neighbors, share our mission, and spread the word about House of Hope programs and services.


This is a great role for volunteers who enjoy meeting new people, being out in the community, and want a flexible way to get involved. Hours and days vary throughout the year. Opportunities include supporting food drives, fundraisers, and representing House of Hope at community events.


Let us know you are interested and you will be able to sign up for events that work with your schedule.


🛒 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.

House of Hope

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.

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

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