Gift of Hope

Gift of Hope serves families that find their self in less than ideal circumstances and provides them essentials and pathways to independence.

Current Director: Jennifer Costello. Gift of Hope has developed different programs for specific needs of Taney County families. The “Christmas Share” program assists disadvantaged families in Taney County, primarily throughout the holiday season by identifying their needs and customizing support for families to become self-reliant. Gift of Hope's "Backpack Club" recognizes the need for children in

school to have proper nutrition in order to be physically and psychologically prepared for a learning environment. A backpack of nutritious food is sent home on Fridays for children to eat through the weekend. The Backpack Club furnishes food for over 1,200 children each week during the school year. The following schools participate in the program: Branson, Hollister, Forsyth, Kirbyville, Taneyville, Bradleyville, Mark Twain, Riverview Baptist Christian School, and Trinity Christian Academy. The "Scholarship" program has helped numerous Forsyth High School graduates go on to an institution of higher learning. The mission of the scholarship program is to help further their education by providing a source of financial relief during the college years. Through our "Cent of Pride" program (an extension of the Backpack Club), we provide food, bedding accessories, pillows, blankets, hygiene products, and more to Forsythia Middle and High school in a store-like shopping setting. Older students who may find a stigma or embarrassment that comes along with receiving a backpack of food, can actually "shop" for similar items to the backpack club but with added essentials needed for their age. They are able to shop using Pride Bucks gained and awarded for a variety of reasons through the school faculty and teachers. Gift of Hope is currently raising funds to expand two area: providing around 150-200 more backpacks at Hollister Elementary and Middle School and the reach of the backpack club and to put more Cents of Pride stores in schools beyond just Forsyth. Help fund our vision by going to http://giftofhopeinc.org/donate

Current Director:Jennifer Costello

08/07/2026

Small acts of kindness create big waves. 💙

A huge thank you to the incredible team at Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson for hosting a special fundraiser and donating the proceeds to Gift of Hope. Because of community partners like you, we're able to continue providing food, essentials, and hope to local children and families in need.

We are so grateful for your generosity and your heart for our community. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

06/21/2026

05/11/2026

So grateful to be part of such an incredible community. 💛

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Hollister for supporting local nonprofits and the work we do every day. We’re honored to stand alongside so many amazing organizations making a difference in Taney County.

05/04/2026

Nearly 1,000 children in Taney County rely on Gift of Hope for food each weekend. For many, school meals are their most consistent source of food—and weekends can be the hardest.

Our Backpack Program helps bridge that gap, and this event helps make it possible.

⛳ Join us for our 13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
📅 September 15
📍 Ledgestone Country Club

Register your team, become a sponsor, or support the cause.
Because just $5 can feed a child for the weekend.

02/18/2026

💘 Pro tip: After-Valentine’s Day sales are GOLD for our Cents of Pride stores!

One of my favorite ways to stretch grant funding is shopping smart — and who wouldn’t love a pizza blanket 🍕 or a chocolate chip cookie blanket 🍪 when they need a little comfort or encouragement at school?

These fun, cozy finds will be heading into our Cents of Pride stores, thanks to support from the Skaggs Foundation, helping us stock meaningful rewards that make kids feel seen, special, and proud.

Sometimes it’s the little things (and a good sale 😉) that make a big difference 💕

12/18/2025

Today I had my favorite little elf with me while picking up donated toys from Dollar General in Hollister 🎄❤️
This is the very first year they’ve partnered with us, and we are so incredibly grateful for their generosity and heart for our community.
These gifts will help make Christmas brighter for local children — and that means everything.

12/17/2025

My heart is so full standing with this incredible group. 🎄❤️ The generosity of the Wyndham employees never ceases to amaze me. Year after year, their toy drive brings so much joy and hope to children in our community. A heartfelt thank-you to Joe Alkire and the Wyndham team for their continued support, and an extra special thank-you to our board member Joseph Pokorski, whose dedication and heart make this possible year after year. We are beyond grateful for a community that shows up with so much love.

12/16/2025

And that’s a wrap on Christmas shopping for this year 🎄❤️
Today we shopped with our final family of the season through our Christmas Share program. We take a select number of families shopping to provide not only Christmas gifts, but also essential items they may need during this time.
For privacy reasons, we don’t share photos of the families — but please know this cart represents so much love, dignity, and hope. So grateful for our community that makes moments like this possible.

12/11/2025

So grateful for our friends at the Clay Cooper Theatre! ❤️ For years, their incredible toy drive has helped make Christmas brighter for children in Taney County. Clay, your generosity and heart for our community mean more than you know. Thank you for helping bring hope and joy to so many families this season. 🎄✨

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday — a day centered around generosity, gratitude, and community. 💛
If you’ve ever wondered what Gift of Hope really does, this video offers a glimpse into the children, families, and stories that drive our mission every day.

Behind every backpack, toy, scholarship, or utility bill paid is a real child… a real family… and a moment of hope made possible because people like you care.

Whether you watch, share, pray, volunteer, donate, or simply cheer us on — thank you for standing with us.
Together, we make life a little brighter for Taney County families. 💛✨

Address

15366 US/160
Forsyth, MO
65653

Telephone

+14175468062

Website

http://giftofhopeinc.org/

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