CLEARWATER — The county’s Hispanic community got some hurricane relief recently via the “Esperanza a Tu Mesa” program, organized by Hope Villages of America with the support of Salvation Army, Evara Health and the Hispanic Leadership Council.
A Dec. 6 event at Hope Village’s food bank at 700 Druid Road provided food and resources to hundreds of families still dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Formerly known as RCS Pinellas, Hope Villages is a nonprofit offering food assistance, housing assistance and support for victims of domestic violence. Its work has been recognized for with awards such as Guidestar’s Gold Seal of Transparency and the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s nonprofit of the year.
“Esperanza a Tu Mesa” was created in 2023 as an ongoing program. It aims to provide the Hispanic community with foods that are part of their cultural identity. And this year, its offerings are particularly welcome by members of the community still reeling from the recent hurricanes.
“Not all distributions include products like coffee, refried beans or tortilla flour, which are essential in the diet of many Latino families,” said Liz Méndez, director of donor relations for Hope Villages.
Since the program’s inception, the number of Hispanic beneficiaries has increased from 1,046 to 1,390 people per month. Méndez said the growth reflects the community’s needs and the program’s effectiveness in reaching those who require it most. The food distribution includes fresh, canned, and frozen products, as well as staples like milk and eggs.
The Dec. 6 event, organized as a community resource fair, was a collective effort. In addition to food distribution, Evara Health provided 100 certificates for medical checkups, while other organizations offered assistance with FEMA document processing and financial aid for basic utility payments.
“Many families in Clearwater, especially in areas like Drew Street, lost everything due to the floods,” Méndez said. “(But) we don’t deny food to anyone — we are here to help.”
As part of its support for victims of domestic violence, Hope villages manages a Safe House, open to provides shelter and services to women and children in danger.
“Unfortunately, the number of Hispanic women seeking (that kind of) help has increased by 40% compared to last year,” Méndez said.
During the holiday season, Hope Villages promotes “Adopt a Family,” through which community members sponsor families in need by buying them toys, clothes and other items.
“The process is simple,” participants select a family, receive a list of needs, and take care of the gifts. We deliver them before Christmas,” Méndez said. “This effort ensures the holidays are a Hope Villages relies on donations and volunteers to sustain its operations.
“We need more volunteers, especially bilingual ones, to serve the Hispanic community,” Méndez said.
Donation needs include cellphone chargers and winter clothing.
With a solid foundation, Hope Villages plans to expand “Esperanza a Tu Mesa” in 2025, increasing distributions and strengthening partnerships with local organizations.
“We want to continue bringing hope to Hispanic tables and ensure participation keeps growing, so people know they can find a helping hand with our organization,” Méndez said. “Our services are available in both English and Spanish, so everyone can access assistance in their language.”
