BJ’S Charitable Foundation Grants Donates To HOPE Helps, Inc.

 

BJ’S CHARITABLE FOUNDATION GRANTS

DONATES TO HOPE HELPS INC.

Oviedo, FL  – HOPE Helps, Inc. announces receipt of a grant from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation.  HOPE Helps, Inc. uses this grant for the Kids of HOPE program, which feeds children from low-income families during the school breaks throughout the year. These students typically receive free or reduced lunch when school is in session and they are able to pick up free, healthy lunches at HOPE’s Food Pantry during each school break throughout the year! Additionally, the parents receive access to other resources, as part of HOPE’s effort to help them get their family back on its feet.

“HOPE is extremely grateful for the support of the Kids of HOPE program in alleviating hunger for children in our community,” said Joan Faulkner, CEO of HOPE Helps, Inc. “BJ’s support once again, allows us to continue our mission in serving those in need and providing the tools to bring them to self-sufficiency.”

Volunteers from St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Oviedo
pack lunch bags for HOPE Helps, Inc.'s
Kids of HOPE Program

“The BJ’s Charitable Foundation is dedicated to supporting hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, healthcare and education in the communities surrounding our Clubs,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of the BJ’s Charitable Foundation. “BJ’s Charitable Foundation donated a total of $569,160 to 92 nonprofit charitable organizations across our footprint during this grant cycle, and we hope these donations benefit the incredible efforts of our partners working to impact the lives of individuals and families and enable them to continue to provide crucial services to those in need.”

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 BJ’s Charitable Foundation

BJ’s Charitable Foundation was established with the mission to enrich every community BJ’s Wholesale Clubs serve. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that primarily benefit the underprivileged in the area of basic needs (hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, education and health). For more information about BJ’s Charitable Foundation, please visit, www.bjs.com/charity

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HOPE Helps Inc receives Disney Grant 2014

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. 

HOPE Helps Inc. Christmas in the City Recap

Christmas in the City Leaders and Members of HOPE's OneBody Church Coalition got together earlier this month to discuss the 6th Annual Christmas in the City event which held last December and start planning for the event in 2014. It was a great meeting and HOPE would like to thank our OneBody Church Coalition for the great work they continue to do to support HOPE and the community!


On Saturday, December 14th, HOPE and our OneBody Church Coalition served over 350 pre-registered families in need at the University Carillon United Methodist Church. Each family received a holiday bag of groceries, gift card for a turkey, clothing, blankets, school supplies, toys, a hot meal, access to partner resource agencies, a chance to win a bike, everything gift wrapped, and a professional family photo from our friends at Help Portrait!  Over 500 volunteer positions supported this amazing annual Christmas event!

On Dec 18, the Seminole Chronicle ran this great article about Christmas in the City 2013.

Volunteers lend a helping hand at last year's 
Christmas in the City event. - Seminole Chronicle

Christmas in the City began back in 2008, with the goal of providing our neighbors in need a day to step out of their crisis and receive love and support from their community at an event focused on them in the spirit of Christmas!  Thank you to many who participated in 2013!  Whether you volunteered your time, donated toys and food, or sponsored items, everything you provided helped make the event a success for our families in need this holiday season.

Click here to see photos of the Christmas in the City 2013.

Resume Help with Carol Steinmetz at the HOPE Helps, Inc's Resource Center

Meet Carol Steinmtz. 

She is a regular volunteer at HOPE Helps Inc. Resource Center where she assists individuals who are looking to create or update a resume and search for a job.

Carol Steinmetz reviews a client's resume at HOPE Helps, Inc. Resource Center

Carol has a degree and 15 years experience in human resource management, as well as several years of project work.  In addition to resumes, she has presented seminars on effective job search skills and developed personnel policies and procedures covering various aspects of human resource management.  Most recently, Carol has worked in Projects for Siemens Energy.   

Resume Help is available each week at HOPE Helps Inc., but Carol is available for special meetings to help with resume building and interviewing skills twice a month or by appointment; you may call 321-765-4984 or email resources@hopehelps.org for an appointment time.

Burger 21 Community Day for HOPE Helps, Inc. - B-involved!

We are very excited to be partnering with Burger 21 (UCF Location) for a Community Day for HOPE! 

Please join us on: 

Tuesday 21st January, 2014 

from 11am to 10pm 

at Burger 21 - UCF Location

11551 University Blvd

Orlando, FL 32817. 

Here's just a taste of what's on the Burger 21 menu:

As part of Burger 21’s culture, they are committed to the communities that they serve – donating 10 percent of each restaurant’s proceeds to a local charity or school on the 21st of each month, and this month they are giving to HOPE Helps, Inc. To date, Burger 21 has provided more than $50,000 in contributions to local charities and schools.