HOLLAND — Local nonprofit leader Lisa Hoeve has been named a 2024 L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth for her work with Hope Pkgs.
The award recognizes 10 nonprofit leaders from across the country who work to drive positive change.
Hoeve started Hope Pkgs in 2015, intending to provide “first night bags” filled with necessities for children entering the foster care system. It started small and has grown rapidly.
“Our original focus was to support one private agency in Holland and it was about 75 children a year,” Hoeve said. “That was our goal. Our community is very generous and, not long after, we had an over abundance of items donated from businesses and churches.”
Hoeve is a mother of six children, and she and her husband have provided a safe environment for close to 20 foster children since 2013.
“This work is rooted in our faith,” Hoeve said. “Just to take care of children. And I think, when you meet kids who have gone through really traumatic times, children that need a parent or two, I think that was something we were drawn to.”