Page 4 - Palm City Spotlight - April '20

Page 4, Palm City Spotlight DOUBLE SPACE

good works

House Of Hope Seeks Support already living in food and resources available,

In Preparing For Drastic insecure households, 40 the public is invited to visit
hohmartin.org/COVID
percent of households
Spike In Needy Households regularly cannot afford before heading to the nearest
a $400 decrease in their service center.
As local need is expected to drastically increase by monthly income. The About House Of Hope
more than 50 percent – worse than post-natural disaster need for assistance by this Founded in 1984, House
numbers, House of Hope is asking the public to get population is expected to of Hope touches the lives
involved. Monetary donations, volunteers for food rise by 50 to 75 percent. of over 5,500 people per
distribution procedures, House of Hope CEO Volunteer Kirk McLean carries month with services that
and nonperishable Rob Ranieri shares, “How hydroponic greens harvested include basic needs –
food items are needed cohesive the community from the agency’s Growing food, clothing, furniture,
immediately to meet can be in responding to Hope Farms and packaged in financial assistance – and Volunteer Dryell Brown
the rapidly increasing this situation between the Elisabeth Lahti Nutrition long-term case management from the Boys & Girls Club
community needs. Daily the local government, Center to be added into the which helps people build of Martin County shows
operations have shifted nonprofit agencies, day’s allotment of curbside life skills for a more self- off 192 fresh sandwiches
to taking unprecedented funders, our health pantry service bags. Photo by sufficient future. The agency made from a food donation
measures in order to department, the school Tara Jacobs. has service centers and provided by TideHouse.
implement precautions district and the general thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Photo by Caitlynne Palmieri.
needed to protect public will dictate how our most vulnerable populations Sound, Indiantown and
volunteers, staff, and will fare. We’ve got to work together to prevent dramatic Jensen Beach. Several nutrition gardens and the newly
clients from exposure to slides into homelessness; donations of food and financial constructed Growing Hope Farms provide a sustainable
COVID-19 risks while support will be key.” source of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition
continuing to serve Along with the anticipated increase in demand for education and vocational opportunities to the community.
thousands of residents in assistance comes the challenge of other resources House of Hope’s Golden Gate Center for Enrichment in
need. Volunteer Susan Leigh (left) decreasing drastically for the nonprofit. Eighty percent Stuart offers free programs, technology, and workshops
The local workforce and House of Hope staffer, of House of Hope volunteers are in the high risk category designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health
is heavily tied to the Fe Vall de Ruten, work to bag for being susceptible to complications from COVID-19 and overall well-being. For more information, visit
restaurant and hospitality up groceries for the curbside and are no longer able to report for their normal shifts. hohmartin.org or call (772) 286-4673.
industries whose workers pantry service being offered at Cancelled and postponed fundraisers, slow business in
are now losing their jobs each House of Hope Service the agency’s thrift stores, and slower private donations
with no assurances of Center in Martin County. have crippled the revenue available to House of Hope.
re-employment by any Photo by Tara Jacobs. With the highest urgency to procure food, hygiene
particular date. Any items, pet food, diapers, and other supplies needed to
resident whose livelihood depends on tourism, dining out, offer crisis-support to thousands more Martin County
and recreational activities has already been drastically residents now struggling, House of Hope has developed
affected by the mandated closures and social distancing a comprehensive plan to utilize the public’s help in the
practices. Many of these workers have never received most impactful ways possible.
assistance from agencies such as House of Hope before For residents seeking to either give help or get help,
and will need to learn where they may find help to combat House of Hope has been updating its website, social media
food insecurity and possible eviction. Additionally, channels, and newsletters to keep everyone informed
children home from school for the foreseeable future are as quickly as possible. With four service centers across
no longer having free or reduced meals offered twice a day Martin County now offering curbside prepackaged
and many of these students will not have transportation nor pantry distribution in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, House of Hope case manager, Tasha Morales, gathers a
the supervision to access daily feeding sites. Households and Jensen Beach, those newly in need are encouraged variety of pantry items for curbside distribution directly
arranging for alternative childcare options will experience to bring their photo ID and proof of residency in Martin into Martin County resident vehicles. Photo by Tara Jacobs.
new financial hardship and compromise for those still County in order to receive emergency food service. For
working. With more than 37,000 Martin County residents those seeking financial assistance, residents should call
(772) 286-4673. For updated information about services

L
L AVARGNA AW PLLC

. With dozens of new clients showing up daily at each location
. Wills and Trusts already, House of Hope is asking the public to help keep the
. Probate shelves stocked with nonperishable food donations. Photo
Real Estate Closings
. Business Matters House of Hope administrative assistant, Jennifer Ortiz, by Tara Jacobs.
sanitizes shopping carts in-between each curbside pantry
service client. Photo by Tara Jacobs. Good Works on page 6

ANTHONY LAVARGNA
ANTHONY LAVARGNA
Member of the Florida Bar
Licensed in the United States
District Court, Southern and
Middle Districts of Florida

CARRIE LAVARGNA
CARRIE LAVARGNA
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP)
Board Certified
Real Estate Attorney
REAL ESTATE
We provide quality, personal legal services to individuals and
businesses in Martin and St. Lucie Counties and
throughout the Treasure Coast.
1805 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart Financial Center, Stuart, FL 34994
.
.
772 286 7521
- REAL ESTATE PRACTICE TIP -

If you rent commercial o ce, retail, or warehouse space, Florida sales tax rate to use
commercial real property decreases to 5.7% on January 1, 2019. The local discretionary

sale surtax still applies. This decrease does not apply to parking or storage of motor
vehicles, docking or storage of boats or tie-down or storage of aircraft.