Giving Hope Annual Report 2023 by givinghope

“Nobody is going to remember how many cars you sold, but the Good Lord is counting every time you feed His people”

- CORBETT “POPS” DUHON

Letter from Our Founders

Dear Friend,

In 2023, we celebrated ten years of Giving Hope I never imagined that a simple food pantry would grow into a worldwide outreach with millions of pounds of food being distributed in multiple states, orphanages/family centers in 9 different countries, community centers and drug rehabilitation facilities Sometimes we think too small when God has given us a vision to be His hands and feet.

In 2023, we partnered with CityServe and purchased a four-story building in Ukraine. This new family center will work with the women and children who have lost everything because of the war. They will have the ability to be relocated throughout Europe to start over and live free for a year through our partnership with the United Pentecostal Church Association It was a blessing to help so many hurting people

The Food Pantries/Kitchens gave away 7.2 million pounds of food valued at 13 million dollars. We are now feeding 5,000 people daily and we cooked 327,000 hot meals that were given mostly to seniors and after school children. We hosted our first Giving Hope Gala in San Diego and Kansas City as we raised money to expand both operations in 2024.

We hosted the San Diego event on the USS Midway and raised money to partner with the Foundry Church to start feeding people five days a week. In Kansas City, we will be partnering with CityServe to offer goods in kind distributed by the local churches along with the food pantry expanding operations to four days a week

The Giving Hope Community Center had its biggest summer ever as it hosted several hundred kids for its Vacation Bible School and summer program We also partnered with Gayle Benson to open the Good Shephard School in New Orleans. This will be an elementary school that will give kids an incredible Christian education.

Women of Hope

Women of Hope Unite had their most momentous year yet with engaging events and courses such as the Vision and Inspiration Luncheon, MyWhy Purpose Guide, Journey through the Word, Hope Weekend events, and the annual Hope for Children Christmas Bazaar With a focus on four key initiatives: Empowering Women, Mental and Brain Health, Mentoring Teens, and Hope for Children, WOHU significantly impacted the lives of over 350 children, locally and globally We had our second Marriage Retreat in Destin, Florida and had over 60 couples get enriched in their marriage.

The Giving Hope Retreat Center

In 2023, the Giving Hope Retreat Center had 319 men and women join the discipleship. The vocations program generated $1,800,280.00 that was invested back into the men and women. We had over 100 graduates from the recovery program, which ranks as one of the largest in the U S

We relocated CityServe to our new location and will expand operations. We are looking for any donations of distressed merchandise as we are seeing a tremendous need through the 16 churches that have partnered up with us.

In 2024, we will be building the first Giving Hope Family Center in Manilla, Philippines. We are partnering with Generations-Homes to build a family center to place children who currently are living in orphanages into a Christian home, so they transition out of the system. This is a new model for us, and I believe it will be extremely successful.

As Tracy and I look back, ten years have gone by so fast. We never thought Giving Hope would grow to what it is now. It has been a blessing for our family to serve and give back. It’s not always easy but it’s fun to bless people in a way that will change families for generations to come We want to encourage you to make 2024 the greatest year of your life by making a dream come true for someone else.

When you become a dream maker for others, God makes yours come true Start with just volunteering at any non-profit and watch the joy it brings to you as you bless others. Tracy always says, “Find the injustice that angers you or the passion that inspires you because that’s what God is calling you to ” This year become a dream maker and watch yours come true

We love and appreciate you,

“I never imagined that a simple food pantry would grow into a worldwide outreach with millions of pounds of food being distributed in multiple states, orphanages/family centers in 9 different countries, community centers and drug rehabilitation facilities. ”

Letter from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I am pleased to share our 2023 Annual Report with you In the past year, we have once again proven that faith in God, love in action, and collaboration are the cornerstones of meaningful change. We continue to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbors as ourselves Your unwavering commitment – whether through volunteering, program partnership, or financial support – has been instrumental to Giving Hope’s ten year impact. Here are but a few highlights that tell the story of your support.

Achievements Amidst Global Challenges

Despite global supply chain disruption, we have been resilient and successful:

Distribution of over 7 million pounds of food Service of more than 300,000 hot meals to seniors and families. Launch of Giving Hope Hawaii Food Pantry. Over 8,300 people provided clothing and household needs through CityServe New Orleans and local churches.

Looking Ahead: Celebrating Milestones and Expansion

As we continue to celebrate our tenth anniversary, we are excited about announce upcoming milestones: Giving Hope Kansas City expansion and Foundry Community Church pantry construction. Launch of the Tom and Gayle Benson Good Shepherd School Giving Hope Campus. Hope House Philippines construction in partnership with Generations-Home. Enhanced compassion outreach through local church partnerships

Beyond the Numbers: Stories of Hope and Resilience

This report cannot fully capture the countless, unquantified moments of hope and gratitude Your support makes Giving Hope a confluence of collective efforts –uniting churches, businesses, community institutions, nonprofits, government bodies, civic leaders, philanthropists, and dedicated citizens We are immensely grateful for your partnership and eagerly look forward to advancing our mission together in 2024.

With heartfelt thanks,

Board of Directors

Meet the Team

Alphonse Smith

Executive Director

Stacey Martin

Administrator & Events Manager

Jasmine Beard

Social Media Manager

Betty Thomas Chief of Operations Director

Lan Hoang

Volunteer & Outreach Manager

Donald Martin

Warehouse Manager, CityServe Greater New Orleans G I V I N G H O P E F

Elendra Fields

Daquisha Lewis

Celestine Turner

Donnie Joseph

Anthony Johnson

Tonja Demery

Jessica Costa

Lester Smith

Ella Buggage

Nuvia Carson

Maria Phillips

Laurie Berry

Patricia Kuykendall

Shawn Ratliff

Herman Trammell

Barbara Womack

Markisha Frazier

Odessa Robinson

Jeremiah Byrd

Paula Nguyen

Freddie Davis

Kenneth Darby

Dawn Joseph

Karla Paramo

Robert Bookman

Kim Jones

Kurtrell Kuyendall

Perry Thomas

Timothy Shelton

I N C O M E

*Note: restricted funds raised for future Giving Hope headquarters, food pantry, and kitchen are reflected in net assets

Giving Hope Spotlights

Transforming Lives: David Bottner’s Mission with Giving Hope

David Bottner, with 22 years of experience in the car business, crossed paths with Troy Duhon, cofounder of Giving Hope, during their participation at a men's Bible study. During a mission trip to Los Angeles, while visiting the Dream Center, God gave David a vision to start feeding people in New Orleans. Sharing his vision with Troy, they initially collaborated to provide jambalaya to people in need under a New Orleans bridge.

While starting his feeding program in New Orleans, David discovered the struggling New Orleans Mission, which he then took over as CEO in 2014. Beyond providing people with food, David aimed to address spiritual nourishment and vocational training for societal integration

“When someone walks into our facility needing help or when we rescue someone from a dangerous place, we don’t see a homeless person or an addict. What we see is a man or a woman experiencing a shattered life and a broken heart. We see one of God’s children hurting, ” said Bottner

The New Orleans Mission operates on the principles of rescue, recovery, re-engagement, and reunification This involves removing individuals from harmful situations such as abuse, trafficking, or homelessness, and ensuring their safety Recovery entails a year-long program focused on healing and support, while re-engagement helps individuals rediscover their talents and vocations to successfully reintegrate into society Lastly, reunification focuses on healing familial bonds, offering hope and a fresh start for all involved

Giving Hope collaborated with the New Orleans Mission to acquire and establish the Giving Hope Retreat Center in 2015 Situated on 60 acres of tranquil land in Lacombe, LA, the center offers a peaceful escape from the city's chaos

The Giving Hope Retreat Center goes beyond offering basic shelter It provides a range of resources aimed at helping individuals rebuild their lives From vocational training and GED classes to life skills workshops, supporting attendees throughout their recovery journey, offering hope and guidance for a fresh start

Looking ahead, Bottner envisions a collaboration with Giving Hope to nourish people spiritually "Giving Hope excels at providing physical nourishment, but I believe our future collaboration lies in feeding people's souls with the word of God, " Bottner shared

The Heart of Giving: Nuvia Carson’s Dedication to Helping Others

Nuvia Carson's journey is evidence of the power of purpose and compassion After a two-year break as a stay-at-home wife, following her time as a clerical worker at a sheriff's office, Nuvia found her calling at the Giving Hope Food Pantry nearly four years ago

What drew Nuvia to her role wasn't just the employment opportunity, but the sense of fulfillment that comes from helping others As the sole Spanish bilingual speaker on the East Bank, Nuvia plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and support for clients who rely solely on speaking Spanish

In her role at the food pantry, Nuvia handles client intake, registration, and the distribution of food boxes But her impact extends far beyond administrative duties

“Sometimes we encounter people who are struggling, some are victims of domestic violence. When meet someone who is hurting I like to be a listening ear to them. I want to be that reminder that things will get better for them and that there is always hope, ” said Nuvia

Among the community events hosted by Giving Hope, Nuvia favors the annual turkey giveaway, a highlight where the New Orleans Saints' involvement adds an extra layer of excitement. Beyond the excitement NFL players' lights bring, Nuvia remains grounded in the fact that these events are more about helping those in need, especially during the Thanksgiving season.

“We once offered Nuvia a position in the office. [That] lasted three days. She didn’t want to stay in the office; she preferred to be in the back helping clients. That’s the kind of person she is. She’d rather be in the thick of helping people and interacting with them, " said Stacey Martin, Giving Hope Events Manager.

Selfless Service: Anita Madison’s Impactful Journey at Giving Hope

Anita embodies the spirit of community service as a dedicated volunteer at the Giving Hope Food Pantry since March 2023 Her role involves distributing food to clients and organizing donations What motivates Anita is not just the tangible impact she makes but also the sense of purpose it brings her

“I’m motivated to continue volunteering at the food pantry because it gives me purpose, it’s rewarding, I’m doing good for others in my community, I’m meeting new people and although the work can be physically demanding and require some standing the reward makes it worthwhile, ” said Anita

Anita's commitment to service extends beyond her volunteer hours Attending the Giving Hope Gala with her husband opened their eyes to the organization's profound impact Inspired by what they learned, her husband called up his fraternity brothers to donate generously, furthering the cause they both hold dear

Anita witnesses the power of teamwork firsthand Volunteers and staff collaborate to ensure clients receive assistance efficiently. Together, they embody the values of community, selflessness, and gratitude.

“Anita is a great person. We are very grateful for her. She is so friendly with clients and is always a big help with whatever the food pantry staff needs. ” said Nuvia Carson, Pantry Staff Member.

Anita's story serves as a demonstration of the power of service. Through her actions, she not only feeds the hungry but also nourishes the soul of her community.

Harvesting Hope: Sister Augustine’s Garden of Giving

Nearly 30 years ago, Sister Augustine embraced her calling as a nun. Bound by vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity, she has dedicated her life to serving as the Director of Religious Education. Each Saturday, she teaches CCD classes to over 400 students.

“I love to be with the students to continue that faithful mission, it is a joy to be with fellow teachers, students, and parents of the students I teach, ” said Sister Augustine.

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sister Augustine and other nuns and priests reached out to Giving Hope Food Pantry to serve and assist the community during those unprecedented times Lan Hoang, the Volunteer and Outreach Manager for Giving Hope connected with Sister Augustine to provide support from the Giving Hope Food Pantry As Sister Augustine received fresh produce, her commitment to serving her community through fighting food insecurity blossomed

Faithful volunteers from the community regularly lend their hands at the convent, assisting the sisters with gardening and yard upkeep In gratitude, Sister Augustine reciprocates by providing them with fresh produce from Giving Hope This cycle of kindness creates a ripple effect in the community, with neighbors supporting one another and friends aiding friends

“I never keep the food for myself. When I receive food from the food pantry I think of my neighbors, I think of people in need, and share with my community, ” said Sister Augustine

“One time a sister at Sister Augustine’s convent fell sick with cancer, Sister Augustine brought fresh produce from Giving Hope to create nourishing fruit smoothies, helping in her recovery, this is an example of how Sister Augustine is always helping others in the community with a smile on her face, ” said Lan Hoang

Sister Augustine's story is a testament to the scripture, Mark 12:30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength ’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself ’ There is no commandment greater than these ”

When asked about advice for those considering seeking help from Giving Hope Food Pantry, Sister Augustine had this to say, “No one should ever feel ashamed about seeking assistance from the food pantry. It's important to embrace humility, as the individuals at Giving Hope are genuine. Their kindness is a testament to the grace of God. "

Our Giving Hope food pantry programs have played a crucial role in fighting food insecurity our community. By collaborating with partners and dedicated volunteers, we have supplied essential food to individuals and families in need. In addition to addressing immediate hunger, our efforts this year aimed to establish a sustainable solution for a healthier and nourished community

2 0 2 3 I M P A C T

7.2M

total pounds of groceries distributed

$13.4M

total value of food distributed

40k+ people reached 327k hot meals served

Knowing that Giving Hope Food Pantry is making a difference in the lives of families who otherwise would not be eating every day. That we are giving people a healthier quality of life and helping them move out of poverty.

The Giving Hope Community Center

The Giving Hope Community Center, a collaboration between Giving Hope and Thrive New Orleans' Thrive 9th Ward (T9) initiative, serves as a secure safe haven for families and youth in the Desire-Florida area. T9 offers opportunities for personal growth, indigenous leadership development, mentorship, specialized job training, and various activities, including summer camps, vacation bible school, and sports and recreation programs

2 0 2 3 I M P A C T

160 kids in Summer Camp and Teen Camp

kids age 4-13 in Vacation Bible School

130 Thrive Green Infrastructure students

200 Thrive Basketball League participants

Working with kids has the most reward. Not only do you gain friendships for life, that butterfly feeling when you see what they become later in life, you also get the most consistent accountability partners one can have.

CityServe & Giving Hope

Family Center

In 2023, we partnered with CityServe International to open the CityServe and Giving Hope Family Center in Kyiv, Ukraine partnering with churches to serve families with trauma care and support. This family center will serve to heal the multi-generational trauma of a war that has already claimed over 20,000 Ukrainian lives Women and children will have the ability to be relocated throughout Europe to rebuild their lives for free for a year through our partnership with the United Pentecostal Church Association.

The CityServe Family Center will empower churches to provide a safe and stable environment with:

Hot meals

Medical care

Counseling

Psychological trauma recovery

Christian education

Extracurricular activities and much more!

Giving Hope has done many projects throughout the world, but this is the first project I saw the government get involved. Parliament members showed up for the ribbon cutting and showed how the transformation of Ukraine will come through the church. Ukraine's officials stand with a vision to replicate this model of hope across the nation, providing a place for women and children who've lost so much in the war. I’m so proud that Giving Hope’s donors helped us make a difference.

Where Love Where Love Changes Changes Everything Everything

Women of Hope Unite

Women of Hope Unite (WOHU) is a network of women committed to making a lasting impact on women and children through their time, talent, and financial contributions. The success of WOHU in 2023 and their ongoing work in 2024 is attributed to The Hope for Children Fund, a signature campaign, and the dedicated efforts of the women within the network

2 0 2 3 I M P A C T

350+ children helped

1 adoption

6 foster care

5 critically ill

4 college fund

20 Community Center

300 Synge Street

2023 Giving Hope Galas

$473,305 N E W O R L E A N S K A N S A S C I T Y N D I E G O raised $769,394 raised

$1,357,549 raised T O T A L

2023

Hope Galas

This year Kansas City and California hosted their inaugural galas, while New Orleans celebrated a decade of hope. The events featured many guests including The Real Maverick (Jerome Leblanc), Christine McDonald, Glynn Boyd, and Jared Emerson, who painted a stunning picture live during the event

One of the highlights of the New Orleans gala was the heartfelt performance by The New Orleans Gospel Soul Children Inc, who moved the crowd with their rendition of "We are the World, " creating an atmosphere of unity and compassion while attendees swayed in harmony with red candles.

The collective effort of all three events yielded a significant outcome, with over 1 million dollars raised.

Awards and Accolades