From now on to forever, the place where Rusty Thigpen sorted about a hundred thousand cans of green beans, where thousands of frozen turkeys were stored for decades of Thanksgivings and Christmases, where hundreds of gallons of milk were sent out with Feed Our Kids volunteers, and where he would always have a secret stash of chocolate and sweets for staff and volunteers, will be named in his honor. At his retirement reception last week, longtime GRACE Food Pantry Manager Rusty Thigpen was rewarded for twenty years of service with the naming of the Food Pantry Warehouse in his honor. More than one hundred of Rusty’s friends, family members, and coworkers stood and applauded. GRACE CEO Shonda Schaefer served as emcee and introduced speaker-upon-speaker singing Rusty’s praises. Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fikes read a proclamation recognizing Rusty’s many years of service to the community. Shonda recalled it was because of

In a few weeks, our annual “24 Hours of GRACE” campaign on March 24 will ask you to help us build a new Donation Station. We will also ask you to spread the word about “24 Hours of GRACE” and the need for a new Donation Station. Most everyone you talk to will be familiar with Donation Station and the need for a new facility. Here are just some of the talking points you can use to convince your friends to make a gift during “24 Hours of GRACE”. On any given day, hundreds of donors pull off the heavily-traveled North Scribner Road that is in close proximity to schools, popular restaurants, city facilities, and neighborhoods. Since March 2019, an average of 3,650 donors drive through Donation Station each month, equal to 140 cars per day, or one car every 4½ minutes. The volume of donors through Donation Station has

GRACE’s mission is to be a good steward of God’s blessings and resources in the community. GRACE demonstrates this by showing compassion for those less fortunate by assisting individuals and families in crisis and guidance toward self-sufficiency. The pathway to self-sufficiency is different for each individual that crosses our doorstep. Some need help with basic needs while others benefit from the additional resources provided by other agencies. One of the many agencies that our clients have access to is Open Doors International Services. Starting in February and running until March 31, Open Doors International Services sponsored by The Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas, has offered Mexican citizens immigration legal screening at no cost. By appointment only, individuals can explore their options to obtain U.S. Permanent Residence and Citizenship. In February five GRACE clients were able to utilize this service.

Volunteers from First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Grapevine took Spring Break to nourish neighborhood children. FUMC pastor Armando Alvarado and his team signed up to serve the Feed Our Kids site all week at the old GRACE main offices on Shady Brook Drive. Armando’s team included several parents who were GRACE clients and lived in the adjacent neighborhood. Some of these parents had children who were served through the Feed Our Kids program in the past, according to Lori Stevens, GRACE Feed Our Kids manager. “This is their way of giving back,” said Lori. “And helping other families who are in need.” FUMC volunteers also provided meals for the children in the King Street neighborhood in Grapevine. Members of the Islamic Center of Southlake joined in the fun at the Feed Our Kids site on East Walnut Street. Children from nearby Ticknor Terrace apartments made for lively and laughter-filled

The GRACE continuum of care focuses on food, clothing, shelter, and medical care to serve its mission of giving compassionate care to those in need. Sometimes, though, what our clients need fall beyond our capabilities. When a person comes to GRACE, many more resources open up to them than GRACE alone can provide. It is a “value added” experience because of our extensive network of collaborating partners. Our help for “Mr. B” is a very meaningful example. He joined our Friends & Family program two years ago September. At the time, he was beginning to lose his sight to glaucoma. He is now 76 years old and completely blind. The Friends & Family program focuses on decreasing senior isolation in our community. The program provides seniors with assistance for rent and utilities, food and hygiene supplies, clothing and bedding, crisis support, case management, budgeting, volunteer support for companionship, home maintenance,

More than 100 community members joined the Mission Outreach Council of Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville last Saturday morning, February 29, for a Poverty Simulation exercise. Kim Campbell from TXU Energy helped facilitate the simulation. GRACE CEO Shonda Schaefer and Development Manager Kristina Davis represented GRACE. The exercise was the brainchild of Lisa Goodwin, a member of the Good Shepherd Mission Outreach Council. She attended a simulation produced by Catholic Charities in Fort Worth and she wanted to share the same experience with the Good Shepherd parishioners. The focus of the simulation was to allow others to empathize with those in poverty and learn how to assist them. “Volunteer participants typically walk away from these simulations with a deeper understanding of the struggles families face in making basic ends meet,” said Shonda Schaefer. “They become more aware of the resources available in the community and how they can support

Members of the Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) Brotherhood presented a check to GRACE for $4,800 representing the proceeds from their “At the Derby” Casino Night. The event held in mid-January was the “lucky seventh” edition of the fantastic event. This year, the Brotherhood selected the theme of the Kentucky Derby “Run for the Roses” experience, and the night was a pure “thoroughbred”. Always the most popular attraction of the event, the catering by Rena Frost and Mac’s on Main Steakhouse was recognized for supporting the casino night event since its inception. Casino night chairman Sam Felberbaum was first in acknowledging Rena, those who served on the casino planning committee, and all the volunteers for another very successful event. “These talented and dedicated men and women brought this evening to life,” said Mr. Felberbaum. “They have committed many hours of service and detailed planning to make sure this was a great

On Tuesday, March 24 the annual “24 Hours of GRACE” campaign will ask you to help us build a new Donation Station. For five years, your gifts during “24 Hours of GRACE” have helped fund GRACE Transitional Housing, the Community Clinic, the Food Pantry, and all of the other programs and services at GRACE. A new Donation Station will do the exact same thing. Donation Station supplies clothing, shoes, coats, bedding, and blankets for the GRACE Clothing Room that serves an average of 3,600 clients each year.  Housewares, furniture, and clothing go to the GRACE Transitional Housing program, as well as other clients as the needs arise. Remaining donations are delivered to three GRACE resale stores, or sold to vendors in bulk. In the last five years, net revenues from resale stores have funded 25% of the total direct costs of GRACE services for clients. This “24 Hours of GRACE”

The youngsters have started counting the days. Spring Break next week. Only April and May left. June and the start of summer vacation is within sight. But it may not be such a happy time for all children. For a large number of children in our community—nearly a quarter of all students in the school district—the end of the school year also means the end of the school’s “free and reduced lunch” program and the breakfast and lunch meals they rely on. GRACE Feeds Our Kids launches at the start of summer vacation to fill the void—and the little tummies! Feed Our Kids program goes directly into their neighborhoods and volunteers set up tents and give out meals and goody bags with books, games and toys. For many of these children, this may be their only meal of the day. And the play time after lunch may form lifelong memories