“Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Arnold Abbott.

In 2013, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, an elderly man named Arnold Abbott made national headlines for his tireless work feeding the homeless. Arnold, a World War II veteran and retired jewelry salesman, had founded the nonprofit Love Thy Neighbor Fund in honor of his late wife, Maureen, who shared his passion for helping those in… Continue reading “Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Arnold Abbott.

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“Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Clara Reynolds.

In 2016, in Tampa, Florida, a woman named Clara Reynolds, the CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, spearheaded a unique initiative to help families struggling with hunger and homelessness. While the Crisis Center primarily focused on mental health and emergency services, Clara noticed that food insecurity was a recurring issue for many of… Continue reading “Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Clara Reynolds.

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A message to our volunteers from Father James and Ms. Mary

“Thank you for volunteering your time and energy today! As we wrap up, we work together to tidy the space so we leave it as we found it. Many hands make light work—your help is greatly appreciated!”

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“Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Jessica McClure.

In 2018, in Jacksonville, Florida, a woman named Jessica McClure founded “Hope on the Table,” a grassroots organization aimed at tackling hunger and homelessness in her community. Inspired by her own experience of overcoming poverty, Jessica began by cooking meals in her small kitchen and delivering them to local shelters. One day, while handing out… Continue reading “Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Jessica McClure.

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“Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Empower Through Food.

In 2014, in Miami, Florida, a group of young professionals came together to address hunger and homelessness in a unique way. They called themselves “Empower Through Food,” and their mission was simple: provide healthy meals while creating opportunities for those in need to rebuild their lives. One of their most notable projects was a collaboration… Continue reading “Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Empower Through Food.

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When life gets out of control…

In September 2024, a North Dakota teen’s car malfunctioned, becoming unstoppable and reaching 113 miles per hour. For 40 minutes, 18-year-old Sam navigated a bridge into Minnesota, intersections with train tracks and highways, small towns and — almost — the road’s dead end. But after Sam called his mom and 911, multiple first responders gathered.… Continue reading When life gets out of control…

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“Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Linda Brown.

In 2011, in Kansas City, Missouri, a high school principal named Linda Brown saw a troubling trend: many students were coming to school hungry, unable to focus or excel. She decided to act. Partnering with a local church and area businesses, Linda launched a program called “BackSnack,” which provided backpacks filled with food for students… Continue reading “Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Linda Brown.

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“Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Nathan Monk in Orlando.

In 2009, in Orlando, Florida, Nathan Monk, a former priest, started a grassroots effort to feed the homeless. Moved by the sight of people sleeping on sidewalks and rummaging through trash for food, he took action. With no formal organization behind him, Nathan gathered a group of volunteers who shared his vision. They began distributing… Continue reading “Beyond the Plate”; Inspiring stories about feeding the hungry. Nathan Monk in Orlando.

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Discretion and Respect

We understand the sensitivity of some situations and respect people’s privacy. This helps make people feel more comfortable and respected.

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“Teamwork and Communication Skills”

Gateway to Hope volunteers work closely with others, so being able to communicate effectively and cooperate is essential for a positive and productive environment.

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“Physical Stamina”

Many tasks, like lifting boxes and stocking shelves, can be physically demanding, so stamina is beneficial.

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“Reliability and Commitment”

Regular and dependable Gateway to Hope volunteers provide stability, which is crucial for our food distribution mission, which operates on tight schedules and limited resources.

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“Attention to Detail”

Ensuring food safety, organizing donations, and tracking inventory all require careful attention to detail.

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“Empathy and Patience”

Gateway to Hope Volunteers genuinely care about people’s situations and can engage with kindness. They help create a welcoming environment for those in need.

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