HOPE Helps, Inc. is proud to be
among the recipients of this year's Disney Grants. CEO, Joan Faulkner and
Director of Finance, Janis Williams, attended the ceremony at the Orlando
Science Center last Thursday, March 26th 2014 to receive the grant along with
the prestigious Mousecar Award.
Walt Disney World has awarded
$3.8 million in Disney Grants this year and over $9 million during the past 5
years. The company selects community groups that will positively impact the
lives of children in Central Florida. In this press release, Disney states that "through the support provided by this signature giving
program, Disney Grants will help Central Florida organizations build brighter
futures for children in a variety of ways, such as securing food and shelter
for families in need, empowering students to write their stories, and kindling
a love of music and the arts throughout Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and
Polk counties."
This is the fourth time that HOPE
Helps, Inc. has received a Disney Grant. The continued funding has allowed HOPE to continue its Kids
of HOPE program, which alleviates hunger for children who typically receive
free or reduced lunch while in school; HOPE Helps, Inc. provides a healthy
lunch for each day they are out of school for every break throughout the year,
as well as provides their parents case management and other services to help
bring them to self-sufficiency.
Last year, HOPE's Food Pantry
distributed 250,000 pounds of food to those in need in Oviedo and other parts of southern Seminole County, and served over 9000
lunches to kids in need during the school breaks. Thank you to Walt Disney
World for your continued support of non-profit organizations in your community
and your commitment to helping families in crisis in Central Florida.
