The founder and staff at Food Brings Hope felt personally the passing of former first lady Barbara Bush this week, saying her legacy will live on in this community through her foundation for literacy.
Bush, wife and mother of presidents and a Florida governor, died Tuesday at 92. While tributes to the former first lady poured in from around the world Wednesday, the folks at Food Brings Hope were thinking about the impact her foundation, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, has had in Pierson.
“Her contribution will be ongoing in our community and across the country,” said Forough Hosseini, founder of the nonprofit Food Brings Hope and senior vice president of information systems for ICI Homes.
The Bush Foundation has partnered with the local nonprofit for three years on a program that provides literacy training for families in Pierson. Program coordinators, instructors, volunteers, parents and children meet weekly for tutoring in reading and writing skills.
The program assists an average of 35 adults each year and even more children, said Hosseini. “Once you have educated adults, they’re able to help their children do better in school, therefore their children stay in school and hopefully go on for additional education, so even the economic impact of that benefits the community and the region.”
Last year, the Bush Foundation recognized the Renteria family of Pierson during its annual reading celebration in Bonita Springs. Ruben Renteria attended with his wife and four children, telling the group the program helped him learn to communicate better so he could show his children they can “dream big dreams.” The family’s photo was later featured in the Bush Foundation’s annual report.
Bush began thinking about how she could serve America before her husband entered his first presidential race, the Foundation states on its website. While jogging, and pondering the things in society that worried her, she realized that things such as homelessness, crime, hunger and drugs would be improved if more people learned to read, write and comprehend.
Judi Winch, executive director of Food Brings Hope, said she was "so proud to know" that the nonprofit is following through on the former first lady's idea.
Bush established the Foundation just two months after the inauguration of her husband, President George H.W. Bush. She served as honorary chair until 2012, when her daughter, Doro Bush Koch, took over the role. Over 29 years, the Foundation raised and provided more than $110 million in support of literacy programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Flags across the country will be flown at half-staff until sunset Saturday, upon the direction of a proclamation from President Donald Trump.
Bush's son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, said at a forum in Chicago on Wednesday that he was "so blessed to be her son."
"She taught us to love your family with your heart and soul," he said. "I love her dearly."
Her funeral will take place Saturday at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, the church she regularly attended with her husband.
Hosseini met the former first lady twice.
“She’s one of those people that has an aura round them, their personality demands respects and they have such loving care for everybody around them,” she said. “She was an amazing lady, somebody that you immediately want to listen to, absolutely well-respected and very loving at the same time.”
“Her passion for making sure everyone in the community is literate,” said Hosseini, “is going to have long-lasting impact for generations to come.”