As a steward of God’s blessings and resources in the community, GRACE demonstrates compassion for those less fortunate by providing assistance to individuals and families in crisis and guidance toward self-sufficiency.
GRACE will excel in providing emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial assistance to needy individuals and families in our community, and, where possible, in promoting future self-sufficiency.
Compassion meeting crisis inspires hope. Many clients
are too stressed with today to plan for tomorrow. By
offering relief, GRACE gives them the chance to plan ahead.
1980s
In the mid-1980s, Grapevine, Colleyville, and Southlake were rural communities located midway between the urban areas of Fort Worth and Dallas, almost 20 miles from state, county, or any other major assistance resources.
While resources were available in the area through various churches, businesses, schools, police/fire stations, they were not centralised. Families in need would have to spend a day (or more!) being routed to at least three different entities to find basic provisions.
1987
In 1987, a coalition of compassionate community leaders, led by Patricia Wood, a church official who witnessed firsthand the challenges these families were facing, centralized the area's resources, and Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE) was formed.
Since that time, the area evolved and grew into a thriving and affluent metropolis, and thus GRACE grew and evolved with it.
Outgrowing its home on Shady Brook Drive, a capital campaign was launched, and GRACE purchased and remodeled a former church property east of downtown Grapevine where it operates today.
Now an independent, staff-run relief agency, GRACE provides a continuum of care consisting of programs designed to address hunger, housing, and health concerns as families pursue self-sufficiency.
Our programs are designed to offer temporary support that help stabilize households facing crisis. GRACE staff develops a detailed care plan for each client to include access to a self-select food pantry, community clinic, mentorship housing, senior services, clothing room, assistance for holiday celebrations, and more.
2020
Before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March of 2020, GRACE served an annual average of 5,000-6,000 individuals per year; however, when faced with the unprecedented, those numbers more than doubled.
The pandemic brought thousands of scared families to GRACE. The pantry was open, the clinic was open, clients were seen virtually, and our services remained uninterrupted. No matter how bad things were for GRACE, we knew it was infinitely worse for those we served.
When the pandemic surged, so did our service numbers. In one year, GRACE saw the highest peak in our current history with a record-breaking 12,311 individuals served.
As the pandemic surge subsided and many returned to work, GRACE saw the service numbers stabilize, but the steady flow of clients seeking assistance continues to this day.
Today
Today, GRACE remains a place where compassion meets crisis, and through tailored services, hope for a bright future is formed.Serving thousands of families each year GRACE is dedicated to our mission that...
“As a steward of God’s blessings and resources in the community, GRACE demonstrates compassion for those less fortunate by providing assistance to individuals and families in crisis and guidance toward self-sufficiency.”