2025 ANNUAL REPORT
“For I was hungry and you fed me. For I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. For I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. For I was naked and you clothed me. For I was sick and you cared for me. For I was in prison and you visited me.” - MATTHEW 25:35-36
Table of Contents
Letter From Troy Duhon
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Letter from Alphonse Smith
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Board of Directors
6
Meet The Team
7
Financial Snapshot
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Our Programs
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Giving Hope Food Pantry Giving Hope Community Center Women of Hope Unite
Our Impact
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Awards & Accolades
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Hope Partners
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2026 Events
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A LETTER FROM OUR CO- FOUNDER Dear Friend, In 2025, our food pantries distributed 7.3 million pounds of food, with a value of over $14 million. Giving Hope partners with several food banks that together provide meals to more than 10,000 people every day. In addition, we served nearly 332,000 hot meals last year. We also had record 77 volunteer groups serving at our food banks, and we sincerely thank each group for their time, dedication, and commitment to helping those in need. During the year, a temporary federal government shutdown led to reductions in SNAP benefits, causing widespread concern among families who rely on this support. As a result, food pantry lines grew rapidly and resembled the long lines we experienced during the COVID pandemic. Although the government eventually resolved the budgeting issues, this situation highlighted just how many people are living with food insecurity. As the lines grew longer, we continued to see new faces each day, many of whom had never needed help before. The Giving Hope Community Center also had an incredible summer program for children and young adults. Several hundred children took part in Vacation Bible School, summer camp, and internship programs. Through partnerships with local churches, we provided meaningful programming during summer break, including weekly field trips, meals, leadership development, and mentorship. We are training young men and women to become the next generation of leaders through reading programs, financial literacy education, and character building mentorship. In 2025, the Giving Hope Retreat Center and Lynhaven served 612 men and women who were struggling with addiction. This life saving program continues to restore lives and reunite families. The Giving Hope Retreat Center is recognized as one of the top heroin rehabilitation programs in the United States, and we are witnessing real transformation every day. Each year, we are reminded of how God is using Giving Hope not only to feed the hungry, but also to walk alongside those battling addiction and abuse. As I shared last year, when you make dreams come true for others, God makes your dreams come true. Let this be the year you bless others and allow God to bless you in return. Thank you for your support.
TROY DUHON CO-FOUNDER 4
A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR As we reflect on 2025, I am grateful for what Giving Hope has accomplished alongside our partners, volunteers, donors, and community members. This year reaffirmed a core belief of our organization: when people show up with consistency and care, meaningful impact follows. In 2025, Giving Hope addressed urgent needs while strengthening the systems that support long-term stability. Through our food pantries, we distributed more than 7.3 million pounds of food valued at $14 million, reaching tens of thousands of individuals and families across the communities we serve. These figures represent more than meals; they reflect dignity, relief, and the knowledge that help is available when it is needed. Beyond food access, we invested in people and place. The Giving Hope Community Center, in partnership with Thrive New Orleans and Thrive 9th Ward, continued to serve the Desire–Florida neighborhood as a space for youth development, workforce training, faith-based gatherings, and community connection. The work taking place there reflects our belief that lasting change requires trust, consistency, and leadership rooted in the neighborhood. We are proud of the organization’s financial position and accountability. In 2025, Giving Hope reported $17.7 million in total revenue, including $13.9 million in in-kind support, and directed more than 90 percent of expenses to program services. Our continued 4-star rating from Charity Navigator reflects a commitment to transparency and responsible financial management. This work is possible because of people. I am thankful for our staff, board of directors, volunteers, and partners who carry this mission forward each day. I am also grateful to the supporters whose generosity makes this work possible. As we look ahead, the need remains, and so does the opportunity. Giving Hope will continue to stay rooted in the communities we serve, lead with integrity, and pursue solutions that address immediate needs while supporting long-term outcomes. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your commitment to this work. With gratitude,
ALPHONSE SMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TROY DUHON
President, Co-Founder, Director
TRACY DUHON Co-Founder, Director
REBECCA CUELLAR Secretary, Director
PAT BRACKLEY
DEMARIO DAVIS
TAMELA DAVIS
ROBERT KATZ
O. RICK KUEBEL
LARRY WELCH
JERRY V. ROMANO
SCOTT JOSEPH
Director
Director
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Director
Director
Director
Director
Treasurer, Director
Director
MEET THE TEAM FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP Alphonse Smith Executive Director
Betty Thomas Chief of Operations Director
Lan Hoang Volunteer & Outreach Manager
Terrice White Community Outreach & Partnerships Coordinator
GIVING HOPE FOOD PANTRIES - TEAM Laurie Berry Robert Bookman Jeremiah Byrd Ella Buggage Jessica Costa Kenneth Daby Freddie Davis Tonja Demery Elendra Fields Cheryl Gibbs Anthony Johnson Donnie Joseph
Dawn Joseph Kim Jones Daquisha Lewis Anita Madison Paula Nguyen Karla Paramo Maria Phillips Paulette Pierce Odessa Robinson Lester Smith Celestine Turner Barbara Womack
GIVING HOPE FOOD PANTRY - KITCHEN TEAM Patricia Kuykendall Kurtrell Kuykendall Shawn Ratliff
Timothy Shelton Perry Thomas Herman Trammell
GIVING HOPE KANSAS CITY Ken Kendall, Director Lisa Casares, Food Pantry Warehouse Manager Paula Engetschwiler, Development Coordinator
GIVING HOPE HAWAII Violette Ishikawa, Director Mataomaile Tanuvasa 7
Brooke Kendall, Volunteer Coordinator Vickie Lagle, Administrator
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT (FY 2025) In 2025, Giving Hope reported $17.7 million in total revenue, including $13.9 million in in-kind support, and $17.0 million in total expenses, resulting in a positive change in net assets of $539,443. More than 90% of total expenses supported program services, reflecting strong fiscal discipline and mission alignment. Giving Hope’s financial stewardship and transparency are further recognized through its 4star rating from Charity Navigator.
REVENUE Total revenue (including in-kind): $17,723,362 In-kind revenue: $13,923,258
EXPENSES Program services: $15,931,661 Administrative & fundraising: $1,100,482 TOTAL EXPENSES: $17,032,143 CHANGE IN NET ASSETS: $539,443* 93.54% of total spending aligned with mission delivery *Note: restricted funds raised for future Giving Hope headquarters, food pantry, and kitchen are reflected in net assets.
WHERE OUR EXPENSES GO 100
REVENUE BY SOURCE Contributions & Special Events 22%
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60
40
20
0
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Program Services
Administrative & Fundraising
In-kind Support 78%
GIVING HOPE FOOD PANTRY – IMPACT OVERVIEW
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
7.3M
64K+
$14M
$768k
pounds of food distributed
total value of food distributed
332k hot meals served
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volunteer hours
estimated value of volunteer service
THE GIVING HOPE COMMUNITY CENTER The Giving Hope Community Center is a partnership between Giving Hope Foundation and Thrive New Orleans, through its Thrive 9th Ward work in the Desire–Florida neighborhood. Together, the partners operate the center as a trusted place where families and young people find consistency, care, and opportunity close to home. The center supports year-round programming that includes summer and after-school activities, sports and arts instruction, youth leadership and workforce training, faith-based gatherings, and access to technology and community resources. Rooted in the neighborhood and shaped by local relationships, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to long-term investment in the people who call the Ninth Ward home.
180
18
Summer Program participants during the 6-week camp
ACT Prep students qualify for TOPS Scholarship (20+ on ACT)
unique community members signed in during events at the Center
CDL students received their CDLs
610 89
workforce training graduates 11
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600+
youth served through sports, arts, recreation, and mentorship programs & community events
WOMEN OF HOPE UNITE A NOTE FROM THE WOMEN OF HOPE UNITE TEAM Precious friends, As we reflect on this year, we are filled with gratitude for what God has done through Women of Hope Unite—and through you. Our founder, Tracy, often reminds us: “It might not be your child or your family member who is in need—but if it were, you would want the world to stop and someone to help them.” This year, you did exactly that. Because of your generosity, more than 200 children and families received support that reached far beyond a moment—creating lasting impact for generations to come. Every bracelet made, every scholarship awarded, every foster family strengthened, every hospital bedside visited, and every woman encouraged carries your fingerprints. Thank you for giving faithfully, loving deeply, and believing with us that God can multiply what we bring together. There is still much work ahead, and we are confident the greatest impact is yet to come. With grateful hearts,
TRACY, REBECCA, RUTH THE WOHU TEAM
WOMEN OF HOPE UNITE – IMPACT SUMMARY (2025) In 2025, the Hope for Children Fund, powered by Women of Hope Unite, invested more than $30,000 to support vulnerable children and families—far surpassing the “25 Children in 2025” goal.
INVESTMENTS BY FOCUS AREA Adoption Assistance – $5,000: Provided financial support to a family pursuing adoption, helping remove barriers to providing a child with their forever home and family. Foster Care Support (Crossroads NOLA) – $5,000: Strengthened multiple foster families with essential resources—impacting numerous children across several homes. Critically Ill Children (Scott’s Wish) – $5,000: Made Christmas possible for 5 critically ill children and their families, supplying gifts and meeting urgent needs during hospital stays. Mentoring Teens & Legacy Gifts (Giving Hope Community Center & Thrive) – $4,000: Hosted a day of craft-making and snowballs for youth at the Giving Hope Community Center. Continued year-round mentorship for the Carver High School girls’ volleyball team, providing encouragement, leadership, and consistent support. Educational Advancement (Nancy Parker Scholarship) – $5,000: Nancy Parker Scholarship: Awarded to Olivia Wilson, Carver High School’s top ACT scorer, supporting a standout student’s academic future and honoring the legacy of Nancy Parker. Hearts for Kids (Hearts for Moms) – $3,000: Sponsored two full family outings—a day at the zoo and a science center experience—for single moms and their children in the Hearts for Moms program, offering joy, bonding, and rest. Empowering Women (You Night Empowering Events) – $4,000: Expanded our investment in empowering women walking through the cancer journey. This support provided confidence-building experiences, community connection, and moments of celebration for women reclaiming their identity and strength. Thanksgiving Turkey Drive – $2,916: Served 65 families
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OUR IMPACT
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AWARDS & ACCOLADES
HOPE GALA 2025 KANSAS CITY HOPE HEROES
PAM EASON
DFA GROUP
BRIAN PRINGLE
ARIEL SMITH
KALLAN LAFORGE
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Not present, family accepted on his behalf
HOPE GALA 2025 NEW ORLEANS HOPE HEROES
BLAINE KERN JR.
CHARLES VETTER & FRANCINE TEBO
EDWARD JONES
FRANKLIN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
IVETTE & J.D. ENRIGHT SR.
CAMERON JORDAN
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HOPE GALA 2025 NEW ORLEANS HOPE HEROES
JOE POIDOMANI
LA AUTO DEALER ASSOCIATION
LT. GOV. BILLY NUNGESSER
NEW ORLEANS ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION
THOMAS MORAN JR. 21
SHIRLEY DEQUINA-BOOTH
Woman of the Year
HOPE PARTNERS NTIVA ABC TITLE PAT & KATHY BRACKLEY ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION PAYCOM ALL-STAR FOUNDATION PREMIER AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIPS ALLY FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY HOUSING APCO HOLDINGS RANCHO SANTA FE FOUNDATION ASSURANT RINGSTREET ASSURANT FOUNDATION SCARYFAST JV LLC AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS SHANE GUIDRY AVERAGE JOE P&A STABILITY FINANCIAL BANK OF AMERICA TAMELA & DEMARIO DAVIS BAPTIST COMMUNITY MINISTRIES THE ADVOCATE BEST BUY CO., INC. THOMAS MILLER HUNTSINGER BLIND HOLDINGS THOMAS RUSSELL BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF LOUISIANA THRIVENT BMO BANK TRITON STONE GROUP BRACKLEY CONSTRUCTION TRAVER CONNECT CADENCE BANK VICTORY AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIPS CAM JORDAN FOUNDATION WINDWARD AUTO GROUP CAPITAL ONE CARFAX CDK CHARLES VETTER & FRANCINE TEBO COX AUTOMOTIVE CROSS GATES FAMILY FITNESS CUMULUS MEDIA DEVOTED DREAMERS FOUNDATION ENTERPRISE MOBILITY EPIC INSURANCE BROKERS & CONSULTANTS ERIKA CISNEROS FIVE STAR FOOD SERVICES FORT KNOX INDOOR STORAGE FRANKLIN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH FREEDOM AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIPS GAYLE & TOM BENSON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION GREATER NEW ORLEANS FOUNDATION HANCOCK WHITNEY HEATHER MAHONEY HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA IHEART MEDIA IMPEL INDER DOSANJH IVETTE ENRIGHT JEFFERSON PARISH JERRY V’S AUTO GROUP J.P. MORGAN CHASE KEVIN COOK LODESTAR RE NATIONAL AUTO CARE NEW ORLEANS ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION NEW ORLEANS ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI, FRATERNITY
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2026 EVENTS
3/27 Food Pantry Fish Fry 5/5
Give NOLA Day
10/3 Giving Hope Gala - New Orleans 11/14 Giving Hope Gala - Kansas City 11/24 Turkey Drive 12/1
Giving Tuesday
12/12 Christmas Toy Drive
*Dates subject to change.
13040 I-10 SERVICE RD. NEW ORLEANS, LA 70128 504.940.1952 WWW.GIVINGHOPENOLA.ORG GIVING HOPE FOUNDATION @GIVINGHOPENEWORLEANS GIVING HOPE NOLA
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