GRACE’s Mobile Food Pantry program ensures perishable produce and bread donated at the end of the week are given at neighborhoods where residents are most vulnerable to food insecurity. The program has worked seamlessly in conjunction with our Feed Our Kids program, and the experience has been richly rewarding for volunteers and receivers alike. The tables are set up like a farmer’s market, stocked with delectable fruits and kitchen staples, such as watermelon, onions, corn and sweet potatoes. In just 5 weeks, GRACE’s Mobile Food Pantry has been able to give bagged groceries to 996 family members to feed 216 households. That means if you lined a watermelon from end to end for every individual who picked up bags of groceries, they would travel from Macs on Main all the way to Main Street Bakery! There are exciting negotiations underway to explore the possibility of continuing GRACE Grocery Giveaway throughout the year.

Support GRACE programs by participating in the GRACE Gala raffle. 100% of all proceeds further the GRACE mission by bringing food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care to families experiencing hardship in Northeast Tarrant County.   2017 is the year for bonus packages, giving you a greater chance of winning one of FOUR prizes! What’s better than staying at a lakeside retreat? One that’s less than a three-hour drive away! This year’s six-bedroom Marina Manor is nestled in the bends of the Brazos River at Possum Kingdom Lake, just a few minutes from the cliffs. The winner gets the use of a 2017 Classic Chevrolet suburban to unwind with up to 15 of their friends for three days, with access to fishing, hiking, kayaking—and those with the need for speed—jet skis. You might want to throw on some shades for the next sneak peek:  a 18kt white gold sapphire and

Tax Free weekend isn’t only about saving a few dollars, it’s an invitation to shop local and support our resale efforts at GRACE. Friday through Sunday, August 11-13, is the perfect time to text a shopping buddy or take a family member to find envious deals at a fraction of retail price. Both GRACEful Buys locations are known for their furniture, and customers are also delighted to fill their closet with great finds or their weekend with a fun DIY project. Style & GRACE houses the best designer deals on clothing, accessories and jewelry. Shoppers quickly become regulars thanks to the personal touch by sales staff. Every dollar generated from our resale store supports emergency relief to our neighbors in need. As much as we cherish the opportunity to give customers a great deal, we are thrilled to know their purchase played a role in restoring hope to a single

Check out this week’s gallery to see how local youth is serving and being served FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SENDS LITTLE HELPERS The First Presbyterian Grapevine (FPGV) congregation gives a ministry collection to the GRACE Food Pantry to purchase staples such as eggs and butter, and this week they also put some kiddos to work during FPGV’s Children’s Mission Week. NCL SOUTHLAKE ASSEMBLES OVER 100 BACKPACKS We can always count on our wonderful National Charity League (NCL) community to serve in various ways. Members assembled $4,000 work of supplies that were given by the NCL Foundation grant. Several volunteers from NCL Southlake spent time sorting and stuffing backpacks for next week’s Back to School fair. Each backpack carries essential supplies for children from elementary age through high school. Historically, GRACE has dispensed up backpacks for up to 350 schoolchildren each year, and meets the Back to School clothing needs of approximately 1,000

GRACE is inviting local business owners to partner with the GRACE Gala as an in-kind or monetary sponsor. We live in a unique community, one that takes a local business’ value seriously. Sharing your kindred desire to see families thrive in the area your business serves encourages intentional patronage to your product or service. If you wish to partner with GRACE, monetary sponsorships start at $3,500, which includes a table of ten at the GRACE Gala. Sponsorships go up to $20,000 for ample exposure. Businesses that choose a monetary sponsorship may receive prominent recognition in event signage, digital displays and the event program, which almost every guest refers to throughout the evening, especially the Live Auction packages. Live Auction or Silent Auction packages are also an ideal way for local businesses to showcase their product or service, like Corinthian Wellness Spa, which donated a transformative package for last year’s Live

For three weeks each summer, those who are being served commit to giving back. The mothers of Shady Oak mobile home estate prepare home cooked meals for the neighborhood children during Feed Our Kids. The neighborhood that is most vulnerable to food insecurity is where these mothers and their children call home. Despite the struggles that these families face, their desire to be hospitable outweighs their low hourly wages and strenuous work schedules. Since 2008, the team of mothers has collaborated with First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Grapevine to prepare the food at the church kitchen to be delivered fresh out of the oven. First United Methodist Church has been intentional to pursue an ongoing relationship with the community, hosting parties and collaborating with the City of Grapevine for swim lessons, pool time and other activities for children to enjoy. Members have also painted 15 of the 40 mobile homes,