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August 25, 2008

Friends of HOPE campaign under way

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

In these grim economic times, it’s good to have friends.

Cherokee County people needing help with meals, Medicare and medicine are fortunate to have friends at HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Enrichment) Inc. HOPE Inc. is able to provide those services, thanks to the Friends of HOPE.

This year during its annual contribution drive the service organization is making it easier to become a Friend of HOPE by offering opportunities for donors to become monthly supporters via bank draft or credit card.

“We are now in the budget planning process for 2009 and we hope to avoid a budget shortfall like we saw this year,” HOPE Executive Director Fran Daniel said. “Unexpected rises in gasoline, utilities and food have played a major role in our budget, as well as with all our neighbors.

“It’s our business to be there when these situations occur, but unfortunately we are faced with the same issues,” she said.

HOPE officials said report requests for services are one the rise and continues to increase as citizens all over Cherokee County lose their jobs or simply can’t cope with the sky-rocketing costs of putting a meal on the table or filling the tank to get to work.

In 2007, HOPE served 17,852 meals at its Soup Kitchen, which serves breakfast and lunch five days a week to anyone who shows up. Through July this year the Soup Kitchen has served 8,200 meals.

Also in 2007, 1,588 people received emergency food assistance; 58 nutritionally challenged children received “to-go” meals for the weekends via the Backpack Program; and 771 elderly or disable people were served through the Brown Bag program. Both those services are made possible by HOPE’s Manna Pantry, a food bank operating solely on donations of nonperishable food items from local food drives. Through July this year, the Manna Pantry has provided food for 459 Cherokee County families.

“But we’re more than just the Soup Kitchen,” board member Charlie Harris said. “We have 21 programs all together that help people with the costs of prescriptions, with medical issues like diabetes and even with rides to the doctor’s office.”

HOPE’s Partners in Health program helped 56 local citizens connect with a primary healthcare physician in 2007. The center’s Prescription Assistance Program added 37 new clients to its on-going medication programs offered by pharmaceutical companies as well as continued to serve 143 regular clients.

HOPE is working toward keeping its community members healthy, too, through its health-education programs. Eight health-related programs offered recently garnered 385 participants and 900 citizens took part in the most recent free health screening.

“The idea behind HOPE is it’s a clearing house of services, information and assistance,” board member Patsy McLeod said. “We do what we can for people, but if we can’t help them ourselves, we have the contacts and the resources to help them get the help they need.”

Last year, HOPE assisted 876 local people and answered 1,737 calls for referrals for resources. Twenty people received fire victim assistance through HOPE and 601 items of warm clothing and blankets were distributed. Through July this year, the center has logged 685 requests for services; added 105 new clients; and referred 93 people to collaborating resources or agencies.

And with winter and the holiday season getting closer and closer, the need for donations of operating capital is just going to get stronger, Daniel said.

“That’s why our Friends are so important to us,” board member Cris Neeld said. “Every little bit helps.”

Neeld said corporations and businesses usually make annual contributions to the entity, which are wonderful, but sometimes at the end of the budget cycle, things get a little tight as contributions dwindle.

“That’s why we are offering contributors a chance to donate on a monthly basis,” Neeld said. “Some folks might be able to do more month-to-month, than they could all at one time.”

Daniel agreed.

“Monthly contributions can help provide a sustainable income for funding our many programs and services,” she said. “In our 17 years of helping people, our greatest resource has been the support of generous people in our community. We are reaching out again to ask our Friends to help our less fortunate friends.”

To make a pledge and become a member of the Friends of HOPE, call HOPE at 903-586-7781 or pick up a pledge card at the Jacksonville Daily Progress office, 525 E. Commerce St., Jacksonville.

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