“There’s no better feeling than being able to just hand something to someone who needs it and wasn’t sure how else they were going to get it,” says Patricia, Director of Client Services at Hope Helps, one of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s feeding partners.
Led by an all women executive team, Hope Helps fights hunger and homelessness in Seminole County. The food pantry is open multiple days a week, allowing neighbors to choose which food items to take home. Options include fresh produce, lean proteins and pantry staples like canned goods and cereals.
“Just coming to get the supplemental food is a game-changer for people,” explains Joan, Hope Helps’ President and CEO.
Hope Helps began in 2007 and initially relied on community food drives to stock its shelves. Within a few years, the need extended beyond what the immediate community could provide and Hope Helps joined Second Harvest’s feeding partner network.
“Working with Second Harvest really helped have more fresh produce and nonperishable foods every week,” says Joan. “It was maybe 75 households a month. Now we’re looking at 200 to 250 households a week.”
As the community’s needs grew, Hope Helps expanded its services, building, staff and partnership with Second Harvest to meet the need. In addition to the food pantry, Hope Helps creates meal bags for kids during school breaks and they offer home delivery to neighbors facing transportation issues. They host a Benefits Connection specialist a few times a month, who helps neighbors with applications for assistance.
They also offer housing assistance, access to technology and financial literacy courses.
Joan and Patricia witness volunteers, staff, and community members stepping up every day, and see how their actions impact neighbors facing hunger in positive ways.
“We can literally see the tension rolling off someone’s shoulders who has come and they’re so worried,” Patricia says. “That’s by far the best part. Just seeing that physical response: “Ok, I can handle another day.’”
