HOUSE OF HOPE FOOD PANTRY: FEEDING EAST END FOR 35 YEARS
- Michael Thervil
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Written by Michael Thervil
[House of Hope Food Pantry] this month there were more than 42 million Americans and more facing food insecurity and in Houston Texas, a city of 2.3 million residents, an estimated 40 % of Houstonians are facing food insecurities this month. That's two out of five Houstonians that are facing food insecurity. Despite that there are several food pantries in Houston that work in conjunction with community churches and community centers but the one food pantry that stood out to us was the East End Social Services Inc. which operates the House of Hope Food Pantry which is located on 6801 Ave. U Houston, Texas, 77011.
Today, we had the opportunity to shed light on the House of Hope Food Pantry which has been in operation since the 1980’s. According to their website, the East End social service started in:
“In 1982 the Ministry had its humble beginnings by Sister Alice Louise Potts a Sister from St. Mary of the Woods, Sisters of Divine Providence and Suzanne Garcia together began to provide clothes to those in need, "It became obvious that we needed a facility to work out of. Together we opened a modest Thrift Store and Social Service Agency. As donations arrived it enabled us to add food and additional social services." (Mrs. Garcia) Eventually, the Ministry became a partner with the Houston Food Bank and the Ministry was able to evolve to what it has become today. “
The House of Hope Food Pantry is currently partnered with the Houston food bank, feeding America, second servings, aspire to win, and the open-door mission. With over 35 years of being in operation and serving thousands of Houstonians, today it was revealed to us by the office manager Roderick Davis that the House of Hope is in danger of its doors closing. This situation isn’t unique to the House of Hope as many other social service agencies in and out of Houston Texas are facing fate if something isn’t done to help keep their doors open.
The House of Hope does more than provide the East End community of Houston with food and meals, it also provides general social services, nutrition education, employment opportunity for those that are seeking gainful employment. Operations manager Marvin Lovick informed us that unlike some social service agencies and food pantries who may have restrictions, he reassured us and the public that “no one is turned away” and that if they have food to give, they will give. We were unable to speak with CEO Suzanne Garcia as she was currently dealing with health complications and will be back in due time.
If you are hungry or are at risk of succumbing to hunger or know of anyone else that may be going through a period of hunger, do not hesitate to reach out to the House of Hope. The House of Hope is located on 6801 Ave. U Houston, Texas, 77011. Their operational hours are as follows Monday through Wednesday from the hours of 8am to 12 noon. They are closed Thursday through Sunday.
OUR POSITION AT VEDA WORLD NEWS
With so many people either going hungry or are at risk of going hungry, places like the House of Hope are considered to be a “saving grace” for so many Houstonians that reside in the city’s East End neighborhood. But with all that joy, there’s also a specific darkness that we must address and that darkness lies in the question of why in a country that proclaims to be the wealthiest have so many people either succumbing to homelessness and/or are going hungry. Even more than that, how can a country that proclaims to care about the welfare of children allow its own children to go to school and bed hungry every day.
Something must be done and it’s a pleasure and a blessing to see agencies like the East End Social Services and their subsidy the House of Hope do what both the federal and local government have failed to do; and that’s feed it’s own people. We at VEDA World News urge our readers to donate to the House of Hope so that they can keep their doors open for the people of the East End community who desperately need their services.
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