There is NO AGE LIMIT on Volunteering!

You can never be too young or too old to begin selfless giving - and on Wednesday, June 1st, a group of volunteers proved exactly that. Let me start at the beginning. Have you heard about Kids of HOPE?

There are over 26,000*  children in Seminole County that are eligible to receive free or reduced lunches at school, but what will they eat when they are on break or off for the summer?  The sad truth is, many of these children would go without. During the school year, economically disadvantaged children have access to healthy lunches through their eligibility for the federal Free/Reduced School Lunch Program. During school breaks, these children may be home alone while their parents are working and families lack the financial resources to stock the fridge with food, normally provided for via school programs, for their children. The negative economy has hit thousands of Seminole County families hard. At the same time that basic costs for food, utilities and gas have escalated, parents have lost their jobs, had their hours reduced, and are living on the edge of poverty.  Often after paying the rent, the utilities, and other basics, there is simply no money left for essentials such as food.

At HOPE’s Food Pantry, we provide free meat, produce, bread, and non-perishable food three days per week, including Saturday, to registered families in Seminole County.  While serving our families in the food pantry, we hear about their struggles first hand and have identified an increased need to feed the children of our community.   Many Seminole County schools also participate by providing food drives year-round and distributing information about HOPE to families in need.  In 2009, Kids of HOPE began by serving hundreds of economically disadvantaged children, who may have gone without lunch.  

The Kids of HOPE Enrichment program allows children in Seminole County an opportunity to receive food.  As children are registered for the program, HOPE Case Managers can help identify additional needs for the family, and provide resources and assistance as well.  We want to assure that the children in our community will have nutritious lunches for each day during the 9-week summer break, as well as all school breaks throughout the year. 

* information obtained from Florida Department of Education statistics 2010-2011 


On Wednesday, a group of 7 volunteers came to HOPE to pack lunches for the Kids of HOPE program. 7 women, 5 of whom are seniors - one age 86 and another age 90 managed to pack 600 bags in just TWO HOURS!! Talk about amazing! All of us here at HOPE are so grateful for each and every one of our amazing volunteers!!! 

Want to get involved with volunteering for HOPE? Check out our website for more information!