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he Hope Buss began with Founder and Executive Director Stachelle Bussey’s “HopeFULL” food justice program, bringing hope to communities with access issues such as food deserts, food apartheid, and lack of pharmacies. The work began with grocery store runs “making what’s available accessible” for residents in Old Louisville who had been subsisting on limited, overpriced food options from nearby convenience stores. Bussey recalls dropping into one such neighborhood store for a gallon of milk. Although shocked at the high price, she was able to pay it. “Everyone doesn’t have that privilege.” The Hope Buss has also hosted health fairs, community conversations on mental health, mental health conferences, free farmers’ markets, school supply giveaways, and transported voters to the polls on Election Day.
BY DAWN ANDERSON COURTESY PHOTOS
The mission of The Hope Buss is Equipping the Community, Enlisting Hope Dealers, Establishing Partnerships, and Empowering the People, “with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty.” The nonprofit assesses the specific needs of each neighborhood’s residents and partners with local churches and community organizations to meet those needs, to “build relationships and build community.” Stachelle says she would love nothing more than to make enough connections between businesses, other organizations, and the people she serves that they render The Hope Buss irrelevant. “Put me out of business!”
TOPS LOUISVILLE | october 2021 85
