Even though loss and grief are part of the human experience, they are challenging to navigate – even more so when the loss is sudden. Last month, a client came to GRACE seeking rental assistance, our most sought resource. However, during the intake process, the care manager quickly realized this situation was different. This sweet woman was in tears and included in her documentation was a death certificate. She had suddenly lost her husband two weeks prior and didn’t know what to do. The future had been bright! He had just accepted a new position with better pay, and they were planning to move, but now – she was alone. He was the sole provider of her household and his passing left her to care for their four grandchildren alone, and without resources. Their savings account had been depleted by funeral expenses, and she was now trying to find work.

Housing is the Focus of the FY24 Annual Report With the rising costs of housing, healthcare, groceries and other necessities throughout the year, many conversations on how best GRACE could serve the community took place in FY24. Not surprisingly, the need for affordable housing came to the forefront. Individuals and families experiencing housing instability in our area continues to grow, and covering the cost is a continual challenge for GRACE. The GRACE FY24 Annual Report, released this week, focuses on the innovative ways GRACE is addressing this challenge. In some cases, simply covering the costs of food and utilities helped families refocus on rent. In more dire cases, bringing a family into GRACE Mentorship Housing was necessary. A trial program, Covered by GRACE, was implemented to help families recover from the loss of housing and quickly move into a new home. These services were provided during the fiscal year that

The chef’s all agree, this year’s Perfect Recipe had all the right ingredients – Dedication; Compassion; Understanding; Enthusiasm; Reliability; Generosity and Enthusiasm. All mixed together it was determined that GRACE Volunteers take the cake! While all our volunteers “rise to the occasion,” we wanted to share with you the one’s that will go down in the GRACE Recipe Book Hall of Fame for 2024! Volunteer of the Year – Kindal Wright Kreamer Volunteer Group of the Year – Compass Church Mentorship Housing – Kim Haggerty Special Events – Sally Klein Seasonal Programs – D’Ray Moore Jake Williamson Youth Volunteer – Zania Karim GRACEful Buys Grapevine – Southlake Carroll High School Education Group GRACEful Buys Euless – Wendy Bailey Friends & Family – Mike Conroy Food Pantry – Mike Pool Emergency Assistance – White’s Chapel Methodist Church – Martha Reukema Donation Station – The Food Lounge – Southlake Development – Theresa

At GRACE, we realize that sponsors are more than just financial supporters; they are key partners in helping to achieve our mission. When sponsoring, companies and individuals are not just supporting an event; they are supporting changed lives for the better, healthy families, and stronger communities all year long. This year we are blessed to once again welcome one of our most dedicated supporters, Park Place Lexus and Land Rover of Grapevine, as our Presenting Sponsor of Designer Bags & Bingo. As Presenting Sponsor, they are leading the way by demonstrating their shared vision for our community again this year, and we could not be more thankful! Park Place has been a devoted donor and supporter of GRACE not only as Presenting Sponsor of DBB year over year, but also as GRACE Gala supporters at varying levels of sponsorship, through provision of valuable packages to Silent Auction and of course,

GRACE was filled with Easter spirit this month, thanks to the many thoughtfully prepared Easter baskets donated by our generous friends at Good Shepherd Catholic Community Church. Every year, Good Shepherd blesses the families we serve with these special baskets, and we’re happy to share that all—185 of them– were picked up just in time for Easter Sunday! Eleven baskets were also delivered to families in our Mentorship Housing Program. This annual tradition has become a valued part of the Easter season here at GRACE. Our clients look forward to the fabulous and creative baskets year after year—many even begin asking about them well in advance as the holiday approaches. Additionally, White’s Chapel Methodist Church planned an exciting Easter Egg Hunt for our families—rain or shine. Though chilly temperatures and steady rain limited the turnout, their generosity with well-crafted Easter baskets still made a meaningful impact. All of the treats

In times of uncertainty, our first reaction is almost always fear, panic, and a rush to regain control. But what if you can’t regain control? What if all you can feel is fear? The client whose story we’re sharing with you this month would say – that’s where faith comes in. A dear elderly woman on a fixed income recently came to GRACE in need of housing assistance. Her husband is bed-bound due to multiple conditions, and his consistent need for care mixed with her worry for him has made it difficult to leave him home by himself for any length of time. She also shared with her care manager her uneasiness about her general lack of alternative resources. She came to GRACE hoping to receive any assistance in making her rental renewal fee. Her monthly income is only just over $1,000 and she had already made plans to seek

The Southlake Women’s Club celebrates 25 years of Art in the Square on April 25-27, and GRACE is so excited to join in on the fun! We have been selected as one of many beneficiaries of this event, which is one of the Top 10 juried art festivals in the US! We are honored to continue a partnership that has lasted over 20 years! Tens of thousands of visitors flock to Southlake Town Square to view the curated artwork and fabulous entertainers that take the stage each of the three nights of Art in the Square. This fine art jubilee, which takes place from April 25-27, is not without your favorite festival food and beverages, and if quality family fun does not get your attention, free admission just might! Emerging artists also have a chance to shine during this event by competing in contests and performing live on the event’s

Why adopt? Food insecurity is a huge issue throughout the United States, and you may be wondering how you alone can make a difference. If you live in a household that is food secure, you may never experience the feeling of being hungry or the stress and fear for how you are going to provide a meal for yourself and your children. The GRACE Food Pantry is here to help families who have fallen on hard times, thus relieving them of the added stress of grocery bills. The Take One, Leave One (TOLO) Box gives individuals and families access to food anytime day or night, outside of the GRACE Food Pantry’s operating hours. Who is eligible to adopt a box? Everyone is welcome to adopt a TOLO! Individuals, businesses, community groups, service clubs, schools and student groups, faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, and youth groups are just some of the volunteers

We have officially kicked off our 2025 seasonal lunch program! Feed Our Kids Spring Break Edition set a new record! Our dedicated volunteers and families showed up through every spring weather condition, from cold and wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour to warm, bright sunshine! It was wonderful to reconnect with all the friendly and familiar faces. Most of our kids arrived excited and hungry directly from the City Spring Break Sports Camp! During Spring Break, only two of our six summer locations serve lunch – and we were busy! We extremely grateful for our friends and volunteers from both First Baptist Grapevine and First Grapevine Methodist Church who hosted and served. We saw an increase in attendance from 2024 and served 653 lunches to our area kids. These groups served everything from homemade tamales to burgers hot off the grill! As we prepare for Feed Our Kids

The 2025 edition of 24 Hours of GRACE is in the books! Your generosity was astounding. Thank you so very much for making our campaign a great success. THANK YOU! Your gifts and pledges help energize the GRACE mission and strengthen our programs and services. GRACE is truly blessed to have such generous and forward-looking friends. Our stories about housing and the struggles our families go through to keep roofs over their heads truly resonated with you. Our mission—the GRACE mission—is only a channel through which your generosity reaches those families. Your support provides stability, and strengthens GRACE’s ability to serve the needs of our clients. With you, GRACE stands beside these families with rental assistance and eviction prevention programs. We make sure that children do not suffer by keeping our food pantry, and their bellies, full. We connect patients with proper medical care and treatment. GRACE is honored, humbled,