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Welcome to
Hands of Hope America
Hands Of Hope America
Brings Food Assistance To
The Four Corners Area
A look at hunger issues and concerns throughout Florida,
and how supply chain issues and inflation are affecting
local food banks and charitable organizations as we
head into the holiday season. (File Photo)
[CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO]
A look at hunger issues and concerns throughout Florida
By Allison Walker Orlando
PUBLISHED 11:30 AM ET Nov. 13, 2022
Restaurants and grocery stores across the country are experiencing food shortages and delays.
That has consumers paying more as we continue to see supply chain disruptions.
Food banks are feeling the effects as well, and as we enter into the holiday season, donations and governmental assistance is very much needed.
Depending on their location, food banks face different concerns.
So how are the Tampa and Orlando regions managing? And what are local elected officials doing or can do to help address the shortages?
GUESTS:
Commissioner Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County, District 1
Evelisse Bookhout, Executive Director, Hands of Hope America
Karlette Karras, CEO, Serenity’s Grace
First and foremost, we want to thank God for allowing Hands of Hope America to assist the residents of the Four Corners of Central Florida with our programs. We also thank our community residents, businesses, partners and volunteers for making this possible.
The organization is compounded as a collective effort between community residents, local churches, businesses, and social service agencies. Our founder, directors and staff are committed to assist the community to raise your quality of life.
Our Mission
The mission of Hands of Hope America is to equip, empower and restore disenfranchised communities by providing accessible, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based services to individuals, families, and children in the Four Corners of Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange County.
Our Vision
The vision of Hands of Hope America is to create a world where disenfranchised communities in Central Florida have access to holistic, evidence-based services that promote their empowerment and restoration. We envision a future where individuals, families, and children have the tools and resources they need to thrive, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstance. Our goal is to build a community where everyone has equal opportunities to live healthy, fulfilling lives and where Hands of Hope America serves as a model of excellence in culturally-sensitive service delivery.
Who We Serve
At Hands of Hope America, we serve the Four Corners area of Central Florida, where Lake, Osceola, Orange, and Polk Counties come together. Our mission is to identify individuals and families in our local communities who could benefit from the wide range of services we provide. We go beyond our immediate area, reaching out to those in need throughout all four counties.
We know that life can be unpredictable and challenging, and anyone can face tough times. Whether it’s due to a medical condition, job loss, or a difficult family situation, we understand that these circumstances do not define an individual’s worth or character. At Hands of Hope America, we aim to support and empower people during these trying times. Our goal is to provide a helping hand and a safe space where individuals can access the resources they need to thrive.
• 1 in 8 Families go hungry EVERY DAY.
• 1 in 6 Children go hungry EVERY DAY.
How We Serve
Hands of Hope America recognizes that life can be full of surprises, challenges, and uncertainty, which can lead to human perplexity. We are dedicated to providing a range of programs and services to help individuals and families overcome these obstacles and thrive.
Our emergency food assistance, clothing, and basic household goods programs help meet the immediate needs of those facing financial difficulties. In addition, we offer financial literacy classes to help individuals build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage their money effectively.
For those in need of more comprehensive support, we provide case management services to help individuals navigate complex challenges and connect them with appropriate resources. Our employment assistance and adult education programs, including English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes, assist people in obtaining the skills necessary to secure employment.
Hands of Hope America also offers notary, computer use, and fax and copy services. We can also provide assistance with Access Florida SNAP benefits and a Hope Letter for Community Health Services.
We believe in the importance of mental health and offer evidence-based community mental health services for both children and adults. We also offer resume-building workshops to help individuals prepare for and succeed in job interviews.
Our summer youth program and after-school program provide educational and recreational activities for children and teens. Additionally, our free summer feeding program ensures that children have access to healthy and nutritious meals during the summer months.
At Hands of Hope America, we are committed to helping people overcome the perplexity of life’s challenges by providing essential resources and support to those who need it most.
Financial Literacy
Participants that enroll in the program will have access to a variety of counseling referral programs. Depending on the participant’s need and goals, the participant can receive financial stability classes, family planning, parenting counseling, and mental health counseling. Depending on the programs, the individual will receive personal or group counseling by volunteers. Hands of Hope America aims to distribute basic necessities such as food, water, clothing, housing assistance, and access to mental health counseling and medical care to children, teens, and young adults in poverty, crisis, or homeless individuals and families. We aim to provide financial counseling, credit repair assistance, and budget classes. The mental health counseling will provide, anger management, life skill classes, self-sufficient training, stress relief training, alcohol and narcotics anonymous classes and assist our veterans with needs.
Stories of Hope
We’ve been so blessed to be able to help so many in our community. And we’re so happy when our neighbors share their stories of how our services have helped them improved their lives – family, health, finances – and more.
Partner With Us
At Hands of Hope America, we rely on the generous donations and volunteering of our neighbors and nearby companies to continue serving our community. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant impact in the lives of those in need. Monthly donations are especially helpful, as they provide consistent support for ongoing programs.
We also welcome corporate donations from our partners and sponsors, as they bring tremendous help to the communities we serve. By partnering with us, companies can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families facing difficult times. Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient community.
How Can We Help You?
Please contact us with your challenges, donations, sponsorships or questions. You can email us at Info@HandsOfHopeAmerica.org, or call us at 352-432-3824. We look forward to hear how we can help each other.
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$10 Donated Provides 40 meals for our Neighbors in Need.
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