Unlike some other organizations I've worked with, the HopeMobile depends on volunteers to make the meals. I found this to be a perfect opportunity to rally up a few friends to come over and distribute the work and ingredients! Carly, Ritchie, and Davis brought over some peanut butter, jelly, and 5 loaves of bread. We went to work and had 60 sandwiches ready for this morning.
Charles said his addiction began when he was in the military. At that point, drinking was a way of life. That's just "what you'd do", he told me, and it was easy to get from the commissary on base. It then started to work its way into his sales career when he returned to civilian life, then spiraled out of control. Soon it became having a drink before leaving the house, and not being able to function without it. He would always be finding ways to justify the drinking. Thoughts such as, "Well, I'm not hurting anyone" or "I'm helping the economy and government by buying this" were frequently flowing through his mind and fueling the addiction, but soon he found himself fired from his job.
At each location every day of the week, the HopeMobile serve a meal to about 100 or so people, sometimes closer to 150. Today, by the time I left at noon (they serve till 2), they had seen 102 members of the community. What was extra special is that they knew nearly every person by name, as well as a part of their story. New faces are not asked any questions, and a meal is given to all. Some very politely asked for an extra banana or another Nutty Bar--no one was turned away if there were supplies available.
How Can I Help?
There are so many things you can do! Serve a meal, serve at the HopeMobile, volunteer at an event, host a food/clothing drive, or donate food.
Group Volunteering Opportunities
Many similar opportunities for your group, organization, family, or whoever else you'd like to serve with the power of numbers!
Donate
Whether a monetary donation, food/clothing donation, a donation drive, or otherwise--there are many ways to help in this arena if you are not able to volunteer your time.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6
Lexington, KY 40588
More contact information can be found here for each specific program : Contact Us