Helping Our People Excel (h.o.p.e.) a non-profit organization. In the summer of 2001, the dream of h.o.p.e. began in response to the needs of our community. Our clients come from a variety of backgrounds and include the homeless, people with disabilities, single parents, and working families. 38% of the people served are children and 15% are people with disabilities.

h.o.p.e.'s mission is to support those in need, living in the Denver-metro area, through coordination of community resources. h.o.p.e. implements its mission from a food pantry located in Lakewood with a second location to be opened in Englewood. In addition to direct food distribution through the food pantry Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, h.o.p.e. shares food with other local food pantries, social service agencies, churches and women's shelters to ensure all food received is distributed to those in need and to maximize the benefit of each donation.

h.o.p.e. had its founding meeting in March 2007 and was registered as a non-profit organization with the state of Colorado in July 2007. The Center for Independent Living Development (CILD) served as the fiscal agent as h.o.p.e. waited for the IRS tax exemption ruling. h.o.p.e. received their 501c3 IRS tax exempt status on March 11th, 2009 and is now operating as a stand-alone organization.

h.o.p.e.'s core values include accessibility of services, respect for the dignity and independence of clients, quality of food and services, adaptability to the diverse needs of clients, collaboration and resource sharing, and organizational sustainability.

The Board of Directors is made up solely of volunteers, each who continue to support h.o.p.e. by investing time and finances. For the year 2010, 12% of the expenses were for administrative cost, leaving 88% going back into the programs.

Having outgrown their Lakewood space, h.o.p.e. will be expanding to their second location at 3940 S. Broadway in Englewood sometime in 2012. The new location will expand not only the food pantry capabilities, but offer a resource for purchasing near new items: clothing, furniture, household items, etc. The profits from this program will help fund the food pantry and other related expenses.

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and forgotten by everybody I think is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."

- Mother Teresa