ST. BONAVENTURE HOPE OFFICE

Office Hours:  10am-3pm

 01/11/2010 (last updated)

The HOPE Office was started in 1972 under the guidance and direction of Monsignor Duffy.  He believed that the organization should be ��dedicated to the principle of sharing ourselves with those who need us.  Sharing our talents, our time and sometimes our money to see that our fellow man has the necessities that will make his life a bit more livable.�  The above quote was taken from HOPE�s first newsletter.

With this directive in mind, the last 30 years have been very challenging and rewarding for ALL those who have given of themselves to assist those less fortunate. 

Listed below are some of the many programs that the HOPE Office participates and/or sponsors during the year.  The programs range from yearly (Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets), to monthly (CSFP Program), to bimonthly (Mobile Pantry and Brown Bag Programs), to daily (picking up bread/pastries).

ST. BONAVENTURE HOPE OFFICE

Programs

    HOPE Office (Monday through Friday 10am-3pm)

      The Office provides food, clothing and household items.

    Mobile Pantry (Monday - 2^nd & 4^th of each month) (temporarily discontinued)

      Started in July 1999, in conjunction with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, this program is an innovative concept for distributing mass quantities of food in a short period of time.  In the entire United States, there is only one similar project and that is in the State of Michigan.

      Twice a month, 5,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables and miscellaneous product arrive on a converted 10 bay refrigerated beverage type trailer.  Tables are set up in front of the roll-up doors and the area is roped off.  The food is placed on the tables and the clients have an opportunity to choose whatever they prefer.  The two target groups for this program are our seniors and families with children.
 

      Brown Bag (Thursday - 2^nd & 4^th of each month)

      Twice a month, seniors (at least 60 years old and meeting the financial requirements) can participate in this program sponsored by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Each household receives a free supplemental bag of groceries.

    CSFP (Commodities Supplemental Food Program) (Saturday - 2^nd of each month)

      This program takes place once a month in the parking lot behind the Parish Center.  The program is for seniors, disabled, pregnant and/or postpartum women and children between 0-6 years of age.  Each registered individual receives a box of food (balanced nutritionally) instead of stamps/vouchers.  This program insures that the children (particularly) are receiving the food.

 FRESH RESCUE  - As of 10/20/2008 137,116 pounds.
 

  OVERVIEW - 4,973 households served as of 9/30/2008.

HOPE Office Projects

�      Thanksgiving Food Baskets

�      Christmas Food Baskets (with gifts)

�      Angel Tree project to procure gifts for the Christmas Food Basket Program

�      Supply food/bread to Emerald Cove and Huntington Village (senior apartments)

�      Clothing, food and material to St. Francis Home for the Aged

�      Food, clothing and medication for the needy in the Oak View area (center and school)

�      Assist seniors with paperwork for Social Security, Medi-Cal and Medicare programs

�      Utility assistance yearly through the EAF/GAF programs

�      Distribution of the above mentioned food programs

�      Soup kitchen type feeding at the Southwest Center monthly

�      Store and supply household items, furniture and baby needs

�      Supply health aids to the sick (i.e. walkers, crutches, wheelchairs)

�      HOPE and Youth Ministry co-sponsor a Christmas Party for handicapped children