ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (September 23, 2025) — Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation’s oldest and fastest growing women-led fraternal life insurance organizations, has named Lynda Sargent, Founder and President of Heart of Hope Ministries, as a 2025 Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment award recipient.
Sargent will receive a $20,000 grant to expand Heart of Hope’s Food Plex — a program that delivers medically-tailored food boxes, health education, and essential kitchen tools to women managing chronic illnesses and food insecurity.
The program meets urgent needs while creating long-term pathways to health, leadership, and empowerment.
Sargent, a lifelong resident of Rock Island’s West End, has led Heart of Hope Ministries since 2009.
Under her leadership, the organization has become a trusted community anchor — providing food, clothing, and wraparound support to more than 22,000 individuals annually while uplifting women, families, and youth with dignity and care.
The grant check presentation will be bestowed at Heart of Hope Ministeries (1740 9th Ave, Rock Island, Illinois) at 11:30AM, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Cake to follow ceremony.
Heart of Hope is one of only eight non-profit organizations nationwide selected to receive a Royal Neighbors Nation of Neighbors℠ grant in 2025. This signature program honors extraordinary women leading lasting change in their communities.
Lynda Sargent’s model addresses urgent health disparities by putting power and resources directly into the hands of women and caregivers. The Food Plex supports mothers managing gestational diabetes, grandmothers with hypertension, and teens stepping up as heads of household — all with dignity, nourishment, and tools for transformation.
“This is an amazing honor! Words can't fully describe the joy my heart holds,” 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.”
About Heart of Hope Ministries
Founded in 2009, Heart of Hope is a Rock Island-based nonprofit serving individuals and families through a robust evening food pantry, free clothing store, youth outreach, and health equity programs. Led by Lynda Sargent, the organization is a pillar of care, faith, and leadership in the Quad Cities.
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” (third-highest out of thirteen) 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.
