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. The following table identifies the programs HOPE runs during the year with a typical break down of the total number of households and individuals that are served by each for a 12 month period.

Video of our newly expanded HOPE Office (view on line or download the file - takes several minutes).

Program	Total # of Households	Total # of Individuals
Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP/USDA)	2,138	8,619
Donated/Bulk Purchase (Food Bank purchases)	1,829	7,370
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)		4,944
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Regular	1,481	6,361
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Homeless	263	756
Mobile Pantry	1,987	6,645
Brown Bag (70% of the total bags are delivered)	2,280	3,307
Baked Items (2 Albertson's Stores and Starbucks		289,900 pieces

2005 REPORT

Donated and Bulk Food Summary

Total # of Households

Total # of Individuals

2,520

10,750

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).

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.

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 which includes some government commodities.

§ 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.