Fundraising is underway to benefit HOPE program

Friends of HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Enrichment) Center are involved in a fundraising endeavor.

Contribution levels for individuals include: donor, $1-$49; contributor, $50-$249; supporter, $250-$499; sustainer, $500-$1,499; patron $1,500- $4,999; and benefactor from $5,000 up. Corporate level donors include: bronze, $250; silver, $500; gold, $1,000; and platinum, $2,500 or more.

Contributions may be mailed to HOPE Inc., 595 S. Ragsdale, Jacksonville 75766.

The HOPE Center provides meals including: soup kitchen serving breakfast from 9:30- 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In 2007 HOPE served 17,852 meals in the soup kitchen. A total of 1,588 persons received emergency food assistance through the Manna Pantry. The Manna Pantry through its monthly brown bag program provides 771 bags to the elderly and disabled. HOPE provides assistance to the uninsured and underinsured through its partners in health program.

HOPE provided connections to primary health care physicians for 56 persons. Emergency antibiotic prescriptions were provided to 22 persons. A prescription assistance program was provided for 37 new clients to receive the pharmaceutical companies free on-going medication program.

Another 143 regular clients continued to receive the assistance. Through its eight different health education program HOPE served 385 participants. There were 15 persons involved in the diabetic management program. Free health screening was provided to 900 persons. HOPE provided 227 cases of Ensure nutritional supplement at reduced prices to qualified persons. Receiving information for Medicare Part D program was provided to 51 persons.Transportation to medical related appointment was provided to 114 persons for 1,656 trips.

Services to the economically challenged persons included 876 case management assistance; 1,737 information and referrals for human resources call were provided; 20 fire victim assistance was given; 308 elementary children coats were distributed; 601 winter clothing and blankets were distributed; 114 persons were assisted through the holiday special needs program; and 58 back packs were sent to nutritionally challenged children on weekends.

Volunteers donated 11,344 hours to the program during 2007.