Programs
The youth of Joshua’s Heart Foundation run a series of programs to connect with and support our local communities and those in need.
Food Distribution Program
The Food Distribution Program is the backbone of Joshua’s Heart. Even people with jobs and access to government programs like SNAP and WIC often struggle to feed their families. Fifteen percent of the residents of South Florida experience food insecurity. Twenty-five percent of food-insecure individuals do not qualify for government nutrition programs and must rely upon food pantries and charity to meet their basic needs. Nationwide, 14 percent of households are food insecure, while only 62 percent of those households participate in government nutritional programs.
The Food Distribution program combats food insecurity by providing boxes of food staples to hundreds of needy families every month. When the program launched in June 2005, Joshua’s Heart was able to provide bags of groceries to 300 families. It has since grown exponentially.
Many families are referred to Joshua’s Heart by community and government organizations. Others learn about the program through word-of-mouth. Your donation of money can help the program reach its next milestone – donating 1MM pounds of food in a single year. Because Joshua’s Heart recognizes that families need more than food to survive, the boxes of groceries also include hygiene products and toys. The program relies upon a network of volunteers to fill boxes for its monthly distributions, so even those who are unable to donate money can help stomp out hunger.
If you believe no child or adult should go hungry, join our efforts today and Make a Donation online or become a Volunteer!
Backpack Distribution Program
Joshua created the Backpack Distribution program so that his organization could forge a direct connection with hungry children. The program gives backpacks full of nutritious, non-perishable food to children who qualify for free or reduced price school lunches so that they will have enough to eat on the weekends and school holidays.
Each backpack contains two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, two snacks and two containers of juice. The backpacks are discreetly distributed by school officials on the last day of class before a weekend or school vacation. Once the food is gone, the children have a sturdy, attractive backpack that they can use to carry their books and school supplies.
The program officially launched in 2012 with the help of a twenty-thousand dollar grant from Wal-Mart. That year, Joshua’s Heart was able to help 100 needy kids and their families. This year, with your help, Joshua’s Heart hopes to give backpacks to 5,000 children.
Your generous donations can ensure schoolchildren in our community receive food all year long. Become a sponsor or make a donation today!
H.O.P.E. Boxes for the Homeless
The H.O.P.E. Boxes program empowers children to help homeless people. H.O.P.E. stands for “Having Only Positive Expectations.” Children pack a shoe box containing a prepared meal – typically a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, juice and an apple – and toiletries. They personalize it by writing a note of encouragement to let the recipients know that people care about them and that with hope and faith their lives can get better.
Your donation will help Joshua’s Heart purchase food and supplies so that the program can feed more homeless people. Become a sponsor or make a donation today!
Other Programs
Since the humble beginning of the Joshua’s Heart Foundation, people like you have helped us distribute groceries, toiletries, clothes and other items to those in need. With your continued support, we’re doing bigger and better things every day. Today, our movement is made up of many parts. Besides distributing food, we’re also helping needy families with different community programs, including:
- Birthday Club
We provide birthday gifts to students in our food back pack program. Gifts are sent to the school and the principal is responsible for getting the gift to the student. - Cooking Demonstrations
In a shared platform, local nutritionists conduct quarterly nutritional workshops educating communities on how to prepare nutritious, easy-to-make and enjoyable meals. Workshops are facilitated through a learning environment where participants feel respected, and accountable for oneself, family, and the community.
