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Rock Island, Ill. (Sept 24, 2025) – Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation’s fastest growing fraternal life insurance organizations*, proudly announces that Lynda Sargent, founder and president of Heart of Hope Ministries in Rock Island, Ill., is a 2025 recipient of its Nation of Neighbors empowerment award and $20,000 grant to expand her organization's Food Plex initiative—supporting nutrition, health equity, and leadership for women and families facing poverty, chronic illness, and food insecurity.

Sargent is one of eight community leaders across the country recognized this year through Royal Neighbors’ Nation of Neighbors program, which recognizes leaders across the U.S. who are empowering women and girls through nonprofits, businesses, and grassroots efforts. Since its launch in 2007, the program has awarded more than $1 million in grants, empowering grassroots visionaries through financial support and national recognition.

“This is an amazing honor! Words can't fully describe the joy my heart holds,” said Sargent. “To be considered among the inspiring women who have received this award before me greatly blesses my heart. Thank you, Royal Neighbors, for your years of recognizing women who serve their communities.”

Heart of Hope began in 2009 as a small prayer group in Sargent’s living room and has since grown into a multi-building campus serving more than 22,000 individuals annually. The organization operates Rock Island’s only evening food pantry and provides free clothing, hygiene items, home goods, afterschool programs, and spiritual and emotional support to individuals across the Quad Cities.

“Lynda is restoring hope, health, and dignity in a community too often overlooked,” said Zarifa Reynolds, President and CEO of Royal Neighbors of America. “Her Food Plex initiative directly addresses food insecurity while equipping women with the tools and support they need to thrive. Her leadership is a powerful example of what it means to insure lives, support women, and serve communities.”

As a lifelong resident of Rock Island’s West End, Sargent has witnessed the neighborhood’s growing economic challenges, health disparities, and racial inequities. In response, she founded Heart of Hope to be a place of nourishment, compassion, and empowerment. Her programs address the roots of poverty by meeting immediate needs and building pathways for long-term success.

With the $20,000 grant from Royal Neighbors, Sargent will expand the Food Plex, an innovative program that provides medically tailored food boxes, culturally responsive nutrition education, and wraparound support for women managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The grant will also fund kitchen tools and educational materials that empower women to prepare healthy meals, even in under-resourced homes.

“We believe that health and hope begin at the dinner table,” said Sargent. “This grant allows us to serve more women who need access to nutritious food, practical tools, and encouragement as they care for themselves and their families.”

Many of the women served by Heart of Hope are caregivers, single mothers, or seniors facing mobility challenges. The organization also delivers food to those unable to visit in person. With this funding, more women will receive nutritious, personalized food boxes, learn how to build healthy meals, and gain confidence in their ability to lead strong, healthy families.

About Heart of Hope Ministries

Heart of Hope is a nonprofit based in Rock Island, Illinois, founded in 2009 by Lynda Sargent to meet the spiritual, nutritional, and physical needs of individuals and families in the Quad Cities. Through its evening food pantry, clothing center, and outreach programs, Heart of Hope is a trusted, vital resource that empowers women, supports youth, and restores hope to those navigating hardship.

More About Royal Neighbors of America

In 1895, nine founding women created a membership community. They were one of the first to make life insurance accessible to women. Now, 130 years later, Royal Neighbors remains committed to its mission of Insuring Lives, Supporting Women, and Serving Communities℠. The organization’s 280,000+ members, chapters, employees, and appointed agents across the country drive the mission through localized volunteerism and philanthropy programs making social impact the cornerstone of their work.

Royal Neighbors members experience Insurance with a Difference℠ through their tailored life insurance and annuity products, opportunities to make an impact in their communities, savings on prescriptions, health screenings, grief support, and more.

In 2020, Royal Neighbors was upgraded to “A Excellent” (3rd highest out of 13) by the AM Best Company for overall financial strength and ability to meet ongoing obligations to certificate holders. The rating was affirmed in December 2024. In 2024, Royal Neighbors delivered $43.85 million in Social Good impact and record revenue. In 2024, Royal Neighbors received its eighth Great Place to Work® certification and was rated as a 2025 Best Insurance Company by Forbes.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, go to royalneighbors.org. To read inspiring member stories, visit theroyalneighbor.org.

* American National’s Exit, Benefit Ratio Shifts, Avoidable Mortality & PRT Rulings. Life Annuity Specialist News Brief; April 3, 2025