The final days of summer are dwindling, and so are the days remaining to meet our supply goal for the 2023 Back to School Fair! We need your help this week more than ever to collect enough supplies before August 5th. Each year, GRACE partners with GCISD at the annual Back to School Fair. All of the participating families qualify for free and reduced lunch, which is the criteria to receive most services at the fair. For the families who also qualify for free and reduced lunch but did not register in time, GRACE steps in and fills in the gaps. Last year, GRACE was able to give filled backpacks to 300 children unable to sign up for the GCISD Fair in time. However, due to the hardships we have witnessed families experience this year, we only anticipate this number to grow! Our greatest need is donated backpacks filled with

Who doesn’t love a birthday party? We sure do! That’s why we recently celebrated our Transitional Housing clients who had a birthday between the months of January and June this year! That adds up to 12 clients, including children – that’s a lot to celebrate!  Last year, Cynthia Day of Trusted Results Realty wanted to give back to the Transitional Housing program in a special way, and the first collective birthday party was a hit! This year’s party followed suit, complete with pizza, wings, cake, and of course – lots of dancing!   Martisha Smith, Transitional Housing Manager, created an awesome playlist of songs that were released the year the honored clients were born, and turned it into a fun guessing game! Clients had a blast as they danced, sang, and guessed which songs came out in which years. This party was a great way for clients who have been in

GRACE’s new clinic class, “Healthy Body, Healthy Life,” is off to a great start with more and more clients coming in every week as they continue their journey toward self-sufficiency. However, with school starting soon, GRACE is in need of another coach in order to continue this exciting class. Led by Kansas State student, Reagan Hukill, “Healthy Body, Healthy Life” is an interactive class that focuses on the importance of exercising. This class is action-packed, with workout routines including cardio, lifting, and stretching. Reagan makes it a goal to meet each client where they’re at and to help them become more confident during their workouts. Reagan is currently a senior at Kansas State University, on a full-ride scholarship for pole-vaulting. As she prepares for another year of school and athletics, GRACE is in need of another volunteer coach to help this awesome class running! “This class is a huge hit

Just when you think our Community Clinic couldn’t get any better, a local organization partners with GRACE to present a Free Health Fair for the community! The Northeast Chapter of the Texas Indo-American Physicians Society (TIPS NEC) is a non-profit organization committed to the service of humanity. In partnership with more than 600 physicians from the DFW area, TIPS NEC lives through its mission of service, education, and networking throughout the region. Various health fairs and clinics are offered to patients, most of whom are uninsured. After learning more about GRACE, TIPS NEC partnered with the Community Clinic to present a Free Health Fair to GRACE clients this past Saturday. This health fair was attended by many GRACE clients, who were eager to receive free consultations with physicians from all across the metroplex. Many consultations were offered, including but not limited to: blood pressure checks, hemoglobin A1C checks, blood glucose

Do you have items you want to donate to GRACE, but are unable to get them to our donation sites because of their size, weight, or other factors? GRACE is pleased to announce that we are now offering donation pick-up services through Resupply! For a fee, you can now set up a time for Resupply to pick up your items from your location and bring them back to GRACE without the hassle. Interested in scheduling a pick-up? Now located on GRACE’s website is a small, red truck icon that will direct viewers to the Resupply scheduling page. Visit their page now by clicking here. Have questions about logistics? Reference the fact sheet below! For more information or support, please text (857) 342-4937 or email donorsupport@resupplyme.com.

This past week, Meredith Martin, GRACE Director of Community Engagement was inducted into membership with the Grapevine Rotary Club. Rotary is a global network of more than 1.4 million people of action in more than 46,000 clubs who share a passion for and commitment to enhancing communities and improving lives around the world. Rotarians look to change lives locally and connect with other clubs to work on international projects that address today’s most pressing challenges. “There are so many amazing local community groups and I am so excited to be inducted into the Grapevine Rotary,” Meredith stated. “I am involved with the National Charity League with my daughter and the Young Men’s Service League with my son, so the mission and core values of Grapevine Rotary are very important to me.” Grapevine Rotary is one of the many groups that assist GRACE year long, but especially in the summer months

GRACE partners with 121 Community Church and GCISD to host its annual Back to School Fair. Because of donations and volunteer hours from the community, GRACE is able to assist with the Back-To-School program by providing clothes (including new underwear and socks), school supplies, and backpacks. This special event is planned for school-aged children whose families are experiencing financial hardship and/or qualify for free or reduced lunch. It is a great opportunity for you to give back to your community and contribute to this incredible effort in a variety of ways. One way you can get involved is through donating. As of now, we are in need of many donated items, including, but not limited to, new underwear and socks, shirts and pants for boys and girls, and light and heavy gently used jackets. Among the school supplies that are needed, backpacks are acceptable for students of all ages, as

GRACE would like to introduce its Accounting Associate, Diane Eldredge. Diane was born and raised in Salmon, Idaho, with a passion for the outdoors. Some of her favorite memories growing up include hunting, camping, and hiking with her father and her brothers. Diane has always thrived in administrative work. She received her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and Business Management from Treasure Valley Community College and then worked for multiple companies including the State of Idaho’s Department of Insurance as a Financial Technician. After a temporary position as a Customer Service Rep for the Texas Workforce Commission, Diane began working at GRACE in March 2022. Her duties include assisting with the payroll of GRACE staff and prepping financial documents. Diane cites two major reasons why she loves her job and supports GRACE’s Mission. “GRACE’s acronym and the meaning of “grace” go hand in hand,” said Diane. “GRACE is a nonstop

Historically, so many aspects of the GRACE Gala make it the place to be on the first Saturday in November! Attendees enjoy an evening of elegant dress, an exquisite dinner, and sharing a room full of servant–hearted local community members giving to help those in need. Two very important events also stand out that evening; the GRACE Gala Live and silent auctions. These auctions display an amazing selection of items and experiences- and all money raised goes to GRACE programs that assist local communities. That evening’s auction items include some of the most generous donations from individuals and businesses in our communities! From five-star restaurant dinners to fine jewelry to all-inclusive vacations, the auction is always a highlight at the Gala. So many of the auction items cannot be found anywhere else and are definitely coveted by those who attend! The 2023 GRACE Gala Auction committee is currently seeking donations.

Our Food Pantry inventory is low or out of many items, and we need your help! Providing good wholesome food could be the most basic and most important service we offer our clients. Our Food Pantry serves as a grocery store and community hub for hundreds and hundreds of our clients. When our community members need food or other goods, they know that they can rely on the friendly faces of the hard-working GRACE Pantry staff and volunteers. That’s why keeping the Pantry stocked with only the finest goods is crucial. Your contributions to our shelves and refrigerators directly impact families in our community so please, view our most current Pantry Needs List above, or shop our Pantry Needs Amazon Wishlist here. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated!