Orlando Sentinel Family Fund donates $25,000 in grants to HOPE Helps, Inc.

Media Contact: Joan Faulkner CEO, HOPE Helps, Inc. Phone: 407-366-3422 Email address: joan@hopehelps.org

Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, A McCormick Foundation Fund Donates to HOPE Helps, Inc.

OVIEDO, FL. (July 24, 2015) - HOPE Helps, Inc., an Oviedo based nonprofit serving families on the brink of homelessness, received a $25,000 grant through the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund. The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund has supported HOPE's Kids of HOPE Enrichment Program for the past several years, impacting the lives of children from low-income families. The funds will go directly toward The Kids of HOPE Enrichment Program, which provides free, healthy lunches through HOPE's Food Pantry during each school break throughout the year. The parents of these children also benefit from the program by having access to HOPE's other resources, as a part of HOPE's mission to help families to become financially independent and sustainable. "The support through the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, allows us to continue our efforts in alleviating hunger for children in our community," said Joan Faulkner, CEO of HOPE Helps, Inc. "Now in its 7th year, Kids of HOPE has been extremely successful in tracking progress of families in need and helping them to self-sufficiency. When parents register their children, they are able to meet with a case manager to help them with a personalized plan to get them back on their feet.", Faulkner said. "Our client families in the program are invited to register for the annual Back to School Bash, which provides everything a child needs to start school. The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, has been extremely instrumental in their support in funding this program."   HOPE Helps Inc.'s Joan Faulkner (CEO), Jasmine Campbell (Resource Coordinator), Heather Georgen (Case/Program Manager), and Nick Ramos (Resource Specialist) receives a check from Lisa Jacobsen,Charitable Giving and Communications Manager of the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund. "The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund and HOPE Helps share a commitment to addressing the growing needs of our local communities," said Lisa Jacobsen, Charitable Giving and Communications Manager with the Orlando Sentinel.  "We're proud to support the Kids of HOPE program to help ensure that children have access to nutritious food all year round."

About HOPE Helps, Inc.

HOPE Helps Inc. prevents and reduces hunger and homelessness in Central Florida by assisting individuals and families in times of crisis and by equipping them to become self-sufficient through Housing, Outreach, Prevention and Education. HOPE's services include a Food Pantry, Resource Center and Thrift Store. For more information, please visit www.hopehelps.org.

About Orlando Sentinel Family Fund

The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is committed to supporting programs that move low-income children and families to self-sufficiency. Since 1990, through the Fund, more than 870 grants totaling more than $35 million have been awarded to local nonprofit organizations serving Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and W. Volusia Counties. To learn more about the Orlando Sentinel Children's Fund, visit www.orlandosentinelfamilyfund.org.

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