When Lynda Sargent looked around her neighborhood in Rock Island, Illinois, she saw a community in need—and a calling she couldn’t ignore.
Vacant buildings, rising food insecurity, and limited resources had chipped away at a once-thriving area. But where others saw decline, Lynda saw potential. She believed in the power of prayer, perseverance, and people coming together. In 2009, she invited a small group into her living room to pray—and from that gathering, Heart of Hope Ministries was born. Today, as founder and president, Lynda continues to lead the ministry with that same vision, turning faith into action and hope into lasting change.
Heart of Hope currently serves over 22,000 individuals annually, offering food, clothing, outreach programs, and afterschool support for youth. And now, Lynda’s impact is being recognized nationally. She has been awarded a 2025 Nation of Neighbors empowerment award and $20,000 grant from Royal Neighbors of America to expand her Food Plex program—a transformative initiative offering medically tailored food boxes, nutritional education, and tools that empower women to reclaim their health and well-being.
“This is an amazing honor! Words can’t fully describe the joy my heart holds,” Lynda shared. “To be considered alongside the incredible women who have received this award in the past blesses me deeply. Thank you, Royal Neighbors, for believing in the power of women-led change.”
The Food Plex grew out of Lynda’s determination to do more than feed people—she wanted to nourish hope. Her pantry is open in the evening to accommodate working families, and the food she provides is specifically chosen to support those managing chronic health conditions.
With the grant from Royal Neighbors, Lynda will expand delivery routes to women who lack transportation or mobility, distribute kitchen tools like slow cookers and measuring cups, and offer culturally relevant recipes and support. Every step of the program is designed to ensure that women have the resources—and the respect—they deserve.
“We believe health and hope begin at the dinner table,” Lynda said. “This grant helps us offer more than food—it helps us affirm dignity, independence, and the potential in every woman.”
But Heart of Hope’s story is about more than meals. It’s about transformation. Women who once came in seeking help are now pantry leaders, mentors, and voices of strength in the community. One teen who once depended on the food pantry now volunteers, offering the same care his family once received.
“Lynda’s leadership is rooted in service, strength, and sacred purpose,” said Zarifa Reynolds, President and CEO of Royal Neighbors. “She embodies our mission—insuring lives, supporting women, and serving communities—and her work is a powerful testament to what happens when one woman says yes to change.”
As Royal Neighbors celebrates its 130th year and a record-breaking $43.85 million in social good impact in 2024, stories like Lynda’s remind us of the ripple effect one woman can have.
Lynda didn’t wait for help to arrive, she became it. And in doing so, she’s building a future where Rock Island women have access to the nourishment, tools, dignity, and a heart full of hope.
To learn more, visit heartofhopeqc.org.
