Senate Resolution No. 1826

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMENDING HOPE Community Services upon the
occasion of celebrating its 40th Anniversary on
April 18, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend HOPE Community Services upon the occasion of celebrating its
40th Anniversary at its A Night of Hope Gala at the VIP Country Club in
New Rochelle, New York, on Thursday, April 18, 2024; and

WHEREAS, HOPE (Help Our People Eat) Community Services is a
not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization serving the residents of New
Rochelle and its surrounding communities; it provides its assistance in
an unbiased and non-discriminatory manner; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Mary Lou McNaney, founder of HOPE Community
Services, in response to the issues of hunger and homelessness in New
Rochelle, established its Soup Kitchen with the assistance of a small
number of volunteers; the Food Pantry, which provided bagged groceries,
was created later that year; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its past four decades, HOPE Community Services
has become the largest emergency food program in Westchester County; it
continues to perpetuate its founder's mission--striving to meet the
needs of its community with warmth and respect; and

WHEREAS, As a multi-faceted community organization, HOPE Community
Services manages one of the largest volunteer operations and offers its
programs and services at no charge; and

WHEREAS, In its outreach to those people in need, HOPE Community
Services provides support, including mobile, kosher, and senior
pantries, community holiday dinners, housing, resources for homeless
individuals, translation and immigration services, English and
citizenship classes, and summer camp; and

WHEREAS, HOPE Community Services offers an inviting atmosphere of
personal and respectful service to the community's disadvantaged
individuals by meeting the needs of their bodies, minds, hearts, and
spirits; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, HOPE Community Services encourages its
clients to achieve personal responsibility, self-sufficiency, a fuller
appreciation of dignity and self-worth, and recognition of the
interdependence between others and themselves; and

WHEREAS, As HOPE Community Services continues to strengthen the New
Rochelle constituency, investing in self-reliance and bolstering its

programming, the aspiration of incorporating a community center may soon
become a reality; and

WHEREAS, The success of HOPE Community Services is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend HOPE Community Services, upon the occasion of celebrating its
40th Anniversary, and to honor its members, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the citizens of the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to HOPE Community Services.