At Stewards of Hope International our mission
is to provide hope to people in need.
We work with the Missionaries of Charity and a parish priest, Father Angel Castillo, in Venezuela to provide much needed food, toiletries, etc. to the people they serve. These recipients are people of all ages who are living in terrible situations such as makeshift shelters, made from scraps of anything they can find, without a bed or pillow to sleep on. Others live on the streets and near garbage dumps so they can search through the trash for something to eat. Some live with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters because of serious medical conditions. Others work various jobs but make so little that they have to seek help to survive. Some are families with small children that don't know where their next meal will come from . Some are elderly with no place to go. Some are infants that have been abandoned to die because there is no food to give them. Some are in school desperately trying to learn, despite constant hunger, so someday they will be able to lift their family out of the slums for good!
They all have one thing in common. They all need HOPE. They all need to know that someone out there cares about them enough to help in a tangible way.
Our Team is made up of dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the world. From our volunteers to our board members, everyone at Stewards of Hope International is committed to our mission and the people we serve. We are always looking for passionate individuals to join us! Keep reading for all the ways you can get involved!
Founded in 2008, Stewards of Hope International has been working tirelessly to help people in need for over 15 years. (Click here to learn how we got involved!) To help people in need we and our Volunteers hold Fundraisers, collect Donations, rely on our faithful Sponsors, work with our generous Food Buddies, collaborate with generous organizations and say many prayers. Each month over 2,500 meals are sent directly to our contacts in Venezuela. WE KNOW OUR DONATIONS ARRIVE BECAUSE EACH and EVERY TIME WE GET A PICTURE LIKE THIS! The picture on the left shows Father Angel picking up the boxes we shipped to him. He will take them back to his parish and distribute the donations to his parishioners in need. We track each shipment all the way to the hands of those we trust who then share the hope we have packaged inside of each box to those who need it most.
Father Angel and this family of 6 want you to know how much they appreciate your help and need it to continue during this difficult time. Their economy was in shambles before the pandemic hit and now things are even worse. They rely on your support to literally survive in their little one room home. Thank you for all you do and PLEASE continue to support this mission!
Our Sponsors are the best! We rely on their consistent financial support! There are so many expenses involved in keeping up our inventory of items to send, covering the costs of any special needs that arise and shipping our supplies to Venezuela! We are so blessed to be able to count on this financial support!
Please consider becoming a monthly, quarterly or annual sponsor. No amount is too small or too large.
Click here for more information regarding our Sponsorship Program!
Donations are extremely helpful, combined with income from our Sponsorship Program, to pay shipping costs, buy food, obtain hygiene supplies, purchase vitamins, and cover a host of other expenses that come up from time to time.
Click here for more information about making a donation!
Food Buddies are incredibly valuable individuals who sign up to purchase specific items that we send. These items can range from cans of chicken, soy-based formula, peanut butter and nuts to deodorant, toothpaste, bar soap, and more! There are drop off locations in Highland, Pierron, and Columbia, IL as well as St. Louis, MO. In addition, items can be ordered from any store and delivered directly to us!
Click here for more information about our Food Buddy Program!
We have held so many different types of fundraisers in the last 15 years! Our most popular fundraiser is our annual Bunko Blizzard! This ladies night out is the best party in town! Our most recent fundraiser was selling Gus' Pretzels at the Farmer's Market in Highland, IL. We rely on successful fundraisers to support our Mission and cover costs that go beyond our other sources of income.
Click here for information on upcoming Fundraisers!
Click here for some photos from previous Fundraisers!
Volunteers are needed to help pack boxes for our monthly shipments. We also frequently need help working at our fundraisers, getting the word out about our activities, and helping with various tasks that come up. There is no commitment necessary to join our list of volunteers. Once signed up, volunteers will be notified of any need we have for help and will have the opportunity to sign up to help using a link we provide for Sign Up Genius. There is no pressure with this. Just help our when and if you can!
In addition to or instead of volunteering depending on what work for you, there are a few other ways to help! Spread the word on social media platforms when we are having fundraisers, contact friends and family and let them know about our Mission, and sign up to have Amazon Smile donate to Stewards of Hope with each purchase you make!
Find our more about these programs and volunteering here!
We are always looking for individuals interested in joining our Board of Directors. Our need for individuals with certain types of experience will vary depending on our current situation. Fill out and turn in an application. Afterwards, we will reach out to you regarding any needs we have at that time.
Contact Michele at mcapelle@stewardsofhope.org to receive your application and for futher questions.
Thank You!
With many donors' help we were able to wire $33,700 to Caritas in Poland for the care of Ukraine Refugees
Sign up to hear from us about upcoming events, projects, and how you can help!
The bulk of what we send are these vitamin fortified rice meals. Each of these packets contain 6 meals. The recipe is specially fortified to feed a malnourished child all that the child needs in one meal daily. In addition to these vital nutrients, we send all types of other food items available to season and supplement their meals. Our b
The bulk of what we send are these vitamin fortified rice meals. Each of these packets contain 6 meals. The recipe is specially fortified to feed a malnourished child all that the child needs in one meal daily. In addition to these vital nutrients, we send all types of other food items available to season and supplement their meals. Our boxes are, at times, also filled with hygiene products, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins.
The boxes are packed in Highland and transferred to a local business that allows us to use their dock for pickup. --- There we secure the boxes onto pallets and a national shipping company picks them up and takes them to Doral, FL. --- In FL, one group of boxes are dropped off at one shipyard and the other boxes are dropped off at anoth
The boxes are packed in Highland and transferred to a local business that allows us to use their dock for pickup. --- There we secure the boxes onto pallets and a national shipping company picks them up and takes them to Doral, FL. --- In FL, one group of boxes are dropped off at one shipyard and the other boxes are dropped off at another shipyard depending on their destination. One group will go to an international shipping company that has a warehouse closest to Father Angel. The other pallet will be dropped off at a shipping company that has a warehouse closer to the sisters. --- Next the boxes are transported by boat to Venezuela. --- Upon arrival, the boxes go to their respective warehouses (owned by the same companies that put them on the boat in FL.) --- Father Angel is notified and will then go to the warehouse to pick up his shipment. --- The boxes that go to the sisters have an extra step. These boxes are transported by their same shipping company to a specified private residence in a gated community. There they are picked up safely by the sisters and distributed to each of the sisters' 7 homes throughout Venezuela.
Stewards of Hope is notified at the various steps along the way (as the boxes leave Highland, arrive in FL, leave FL, and are dropped off in Venezuela.) Once the boxes are in the hands of our trusted friends, Father Angel and the sisters of The Missionaries of Charity, photographic proof of their arrival is shared.
Your generous gift will help us fund our mission to help those in need.
1. Send a check to 35 South Porte Dr., Highland, IL 62249
2. Venmo: @SOHI-sohi
3. PayPal: use the link below Note: PayPal takes 2.2% from your donation.
In 2004 and again in 2006, our founder, Michele Korte Capelle spent time with Elba Herrera de Venta, a Venezuelan who was doing incredible work for the poor in her country. By 2008, Michele was raising money to help support Elba's work and started Stewards of Hope International.
To follow our mission to bring hope to the poor, in particular the people of Venezuela served by the Missionaries of Charity and our dear friend, Father Angel , we raise money through our sponsorship program, fundraisers and donations; collect food items through food drives and our Food Buddy Program; raise awareness through our presentations at schools and local civic organizations: and promote prayer through our ongoing communication via Facebook posts, email newsletters, newspaper articles, and word of mouth.
Check out the many ways to get involved in our efforts! From the comfort of your home or out in the community at our fundraisers, you can join our mission no matter where you are!
What's next? Join us either by volunteering, attending or spreading the word!
See what we have been up to and all the fun we have been having!
Many anticipate our annual Bunko Blizzard as it has become a tradition that is a blast!
We are so excited each time we get the news that the Sisters or Father Angel have received our packages!!
The people we serve receive nutritious food to remain healthy and strong. It not only feeds their stomach, it also lets them know that someone cares!
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