House of Hope's service figures through the third quarter of 2009 continue to reflect the way the economy has affected Martin County residents.

However, the numbers also paint a picture of hope for hundreds of Martin County families who were able to obtain emergency food, clothing and financial assistance from House of Hope.

During the past year, requests for help from House of Hope have swelled, with so many people newly unemployed or unable to stretch low wages to provide for basic human needs. Through the first nine months of 2009, House of Hope has fulfilled 34 percent more requests for food and provided financial assistance to 85 percent more families in need over the same period in 2008.

House of Hope provides three main service programs, as follows, at its four locations - the main office in Stuart, along with branches in Hobe Sound, Indiantown and Jensen Beach.

- Food Pantry Program: House of Hope is the largest provider of food for the hungry in Martin County. Families can receive a box full of nonperishable food that can create meals for a few days.

- Clothes Closet: This program provides garments and household items free or at significantly reduced cost to those who would otherwise go without. Items that are not given away in the Clothes Closet program are sold in the agency's resale stores to support the agency's ability to help people in need.

- Emergency Financial Assistance: This program pays critical bills such as rent, utilities or medicine for people who are in dire straits. Keeping pace with this assistance is difficult, as House of Hope needs donations to keep up with the needs.

House of Hope also operates a Case Management Program that helps people who have the opportunity -- with guidance -- to become economically independent and self-reliant. A social worker helps clients access the resources and training they need to succeed and bring stability to their lives.

House of Hope's service statistics are all greater than at this time last year. But even more telling is the fact that House of Hope's service in the first nine months of 2009 is nearly equal to or greater than the totals for all of 2007.

Here is an example of the type of person House of Hope helped recently:

"Karen" is a 45-year-old mother of two children, and she is going blind from glaucoma. One of her sons is legally blind and attends a special school in St. Augustine. He was home for the summer, and that affected her expenses at a time when her work as a housecleaner was down. Bills have been piling up, and she came to House of Hope for help with her rent. With $200 in rent assistance from House of Hope, her clients returning for the season and her son back at school, "Karen" feels confident she will be able to better cope with her expenses.

For more information about House of Hope, call (772) 286-4673 or visit www.hohmartin.org.