By Samantha Joseph

Staff writer

MARTIN COUNTY - When diabetes, a heart and liver condition and other ailments forced Jack Atkin to quit his job as a supermarket produce clerk, the 57-year-old Stuart man's prospects were dim.

"I had no income coming in at all. Zero," he said.

He made his way in January to House of Hope, where case manager Leslie Frederick helped him file for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, secured him food stamps and arranged for free prescription medication.

"She helped me out tremendously," he said. "Let's put it this way, I'd still be struggling every day if she hadn't stepped in."

Mr. Atkin is one of hundreds of thousands of Martin County residents who've found assistance at House of Hope over the last 25 years.

The group has served 59,375 Martin County families while responding to more than 155,400 requests for assistance.

It has also distributed 1,612 tons of food, or about 3.7 million meals, to more than 44,500 families.

Its emergency financial assistance program has provided more than $1.6 million in bill payments to more than 8,000 families who faced homelessness, a lack of utilities or foregoing prescription medications.

As it gets ready to celebrate its silver anniversary beginning March 13, administrators say there's lot more work to be done.

Its efforts are especially important as the Martin County economy slumps amid a nationwide recession.

Since January 2007, the group has seen a steady increase in calls for assistance, with demand growing 80 percent.

"The pace has not lessened," said executive director Patrick Slattery. "Everybody keeps talking about doom and gloom, and unfortunately, we see it happening."

In January, requests for food from the group's pantry program nearly doubled over that same period one year ago. In that month alone, it fed 866 families or 1,741 people.

"If that continues, it gives you some sense of how drastic the situation is becoming. People are just trying to hang on," he said.

That's why the group is looking to broaden its community support by reaching out to non-traditional backers, such as foundations and private trusts. It's part of a plan to adjust to changes in community spending habits.

A fashion show held as part of the celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary quickly sold out, with supporters paying $50 apiece for about 250 tickets.

It was a pleasant surprise for organizers, who expect to raise thousands during the celebration. The hard part, though, they acknowledge, is getting corporate sponsors to help cover some of the costs for the activities.

"It's challenging," Mr. Slattery said. "We've come a long way with our fundraising, but we need to go a long ways yet. Given the current economic situation, we've had more people in need than anybody has ever seen at our agency."

Last year, limited resources forced the group to turn away 69 percent of applicants, he said.

"I don't know if anyone outside our business can understand this. When you commit to helping people who are genuinely in need, and then you have to say no to a family, it's almost physically painful," Mr. Slattery said. "It's an extremely difficult situation to be in."

But despite the economic setbacks, the group is pushing through several new projects.

Among them is its case-management service, launched last year to help clients gain skills and other assistance to become financially self-reliant in the long run.

Case workers are helping clients find educational opportunities, help with dealing with debilitating medical issues and other factors that limit their earning potential.

"What we want to do is help them break that cycle of poverty and near poverty," Mr. Slattery said.

It's part of the vision that's sustaining the local charity, which has grown from a storefront operation to an organization with offices in Hobe Sound, Stuart, Jensen Beach and Indiantown.

"We're still here," Mr. Slattery said. "There aren't any nonprofit agencies that have survived this long without being affiliated with a state or federal organization."