A Night of Hope is coming to Manteca.
HOPE Ministries is staging a fundraising dinner that will double as its report to the community on Thursday, July 7, on the non-profit’s efforts to help families as well as single moms and their families to stay off the streets.
The event will feature author and pastor Earl Smith who serves as the chaplain for the Golden State Warriors. The dinner also will feature a silent auction of Golden State Warriors and San Francisco 49ers memorabilia. Dinner tickets are $50 for the event taking place at the Manteca Transit Center at Moffat Boulevard and South Main Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m.
The event is limited to 192 people. There are 64 tickets remaining as of Friday. To purchase tickets go to www.hopefamilyshelters.com or call 209.824.0658.
HOPE Executive Director Cecily Ballungay said a couple that has been able to get off the streets along with their five kids thanks to the non-profit’s efforts will speak. There also will be a video presentation of a single mom who is also no longer homeless and who was also able to improve the life of herself and children but also keep a roof over their heads.
A San Joaquin County agency that tracks the progress of all who have been placed in temporary shelters each year reported that  77 of the 218 mothers and children who stayed at the  Raymus  House — one of three shelters operated by the non-profit agency — ended back on the street in 2014. In 2015, not a single woman or child housed temporarily sheltered at Raymus House ended up back on the streets.
HOPE Ministries has been helping homeless families for 21 years.
In 2015, they helped 213 children, mothers, and fathers.
Their annual budget is $180,000 of which all but $30,000 in government grants comes from donations from churches, businesses, groups, and individuals.
A Night of HOPE is being sponsored by Phil Waterford’s Manteca Ford, Knights Plumbing, Raymus Homes, and South San Joaquin Irrigation District.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com