GRACE is very proud of our Volunteer Community Garden as it plays a significant role in addressing local food insecurity. Through the dedication and hard work of volunteers, this community garden not only cultivates fresh produce but also ensures that the fresh produce reaches those who need it. The success of the GRACE Community Garden is largely attributed to the dedicated volunteers who generously offer their time and efforts. These volunteers come from all walks of life, united by a common goal – to help alleviate food insecurity in the community. Whether it is planting seeds, weeding the beds, or harvesting the crops, each volunteer plays a crucial role in ensuring the garden’s productivity. A key aspect of the GRACE Community Garden’s mission is to support GRACE Food Pantry in providing nutritious food to those in need. On a regular basis, the garden donates its harvest to the food pantry,

With just a few weeks to go until our 20th annual GRACE gala, we wanted to take a moment to tell you a bit more about our incredible Platinum Plus sponsors!   BoomerJack’s Grill & Bar  One of the best things about BoomerJack’s – besides their delicious menu – is their dedication to service, and not just in the restaurant! For the last two decades, BoomerJack’s has made it clear that their community comes first. Owners Kimberly and Brent Tipps have repeatedly shown such amazing generosity in support of the GRACE mission. From chairing the 2019 Gala, to collecting donations at the restaurant’s multiple locations, it is evident that those at BoomerJack’s have a big heart! Thank you for your support! For more information about BoomerJack’s Grill & Bar, visit https://boomerjacks.com/about/   The Church Lawyers  GRACE is excited to share about a new sponsor this year – The Church Lawyers, located in

Congratulations are in order for the staff of the GRACE Community Clinic! We have been awarded GOLD Plus Recognition for the seventh consecutive year for the Target BP Program through the American Heart Association! In summary, this means that 87% of our clients with a hypertension diagnosis have been able to keep their blood pressure in check per the American Heart Association standards for blood pressure control. The Clinic provides patients with individual physician management for their chronic diseases, medication management, and patient education. GRACE teaches them how to self-monitor their blood pressure daily and provides the tools to do it, i.e., Validated Blood Pressure Machines, Blood Pressure Logs for their self-management, and 1-1 patient education. These patient blood pressure logs are brought to each physician and nurse visit to help providers in their patient assessment and medical management.  We educate our clients regarding the importance of blood pressure control

On the second Thursday of each month, GRACE partners with White’s Chapel Methodist Church to bring their Mobile Market to the community! This exciting opportunity, also in partnership with Tarrant Area Food Bank allows shoppers to select their own groceries from those available. The Mobile Market sets up at the Grapevine Community Outreach Center, located at 3010 Mustang Drive in Grapevine, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Volunteers are needed to help make this a success! Duties include assisting with registration and directions, putting groceries into bags as clients move through the market, and helping to carry groceries to clients’ cars. All volunteers are welcome – those who are bilingual are especially needed and appreciated! For more information, and to learn how to get involved, please contact WC Mobile Market volunteer coordinator Jim Niewald at jimniewald@yahoo.com.

Gala season continues full force this month as we race toward the finish line on November 4th! GRACE is honored to have the support of many sponsors, all of which help make this annual event a roaring success. So, how does GRACE show their thanks? With the annual VIP Party! This event happens each year in the weeks before the Gala to allow GRACE to acknowledge and celebrate the dozens of sponsors that stepped up to support the Gala. This year, the party will take place in Westlake, at the home of Dr. Haritha Mikkilineni, owner of Medrein Health & Aesthetics, an aesthetic medical spa located in Southlake. Known affectionately as Dr. Mikki, she jumped at the chance to support GRACE in a big way by sponsoring and hosting this great party! With 12 years’ experience as a board certified ER physician, Dr. Mikki also has a passion for aesthetics

You may have noticed (or panicked upon realizing) that it is now October, which means retailers are already slipping Christmas decor on the shelves between Halloween costumes. Whether or not the Texas climate has followed suit, the holidays are fast-approaching! Each year, GRACE is able to provide thousands of children and parents with Christmas gifts for the holidays through our Christmas Cottage program. This dignified experience allows for moms and dads to select new, unwrapped gifts for their children that they can take home and prepare to put under the Christmas tree. Of course, this program would not possible without the help and support of the community. This year, our trusty elves have already put together a list of toys and gifts that we have the greatest need for! If you find yourself having stumbled upon a great sale or a familiar item from the 2023 Toy Wishlist, we would

The GRACE Food Pantry received 1,000 visits last month. With last year’s total visits at 11,129 for the full fiscal year, this amount of need as we head into the holiday season is unprecedented. For perspective, the combined total of pantry visits from the two years previous – is 12,548. As we prepare to fill the shelves with the traditional tastes of the season, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on why access to the GRACE Food Pantry is the number one service requested by our clients. GRACE offers pantry staples including oil, flour, sugar, salt, and pepper. Personal hygiene products are also provided including feminine needs, cleaning supplies, baby formula and diapers, and even pet needs based on availability. The Pantry is proud to offer a self-select shopping experience so that our clients can freely select items that best suit the needs of their households. Volunteers help our Pantry Staff

Any local golfer will know that next week is the 12th Annual Classic Chevrolet Charity Golf Tournament at the Bear Creek Golf Course! On October 5th, members of GRACE staff will not only be participating in this fun event, but volunteering throughout the day as well! From start to finish, it’s going to be a great day.  For the last decade, Tom and Susan Durant, owners of Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, have supported many local charities through the Tom and Susan Durant Foundation. This golf tournament is one of the many ways they accomplish their mission – and GRACE is honored to be one of the local organizations receiving funds! Every dollar raised is matched 100% by the foundation.  GRACE is so thankful for the support not only from the Tom and Susan Durant Foundation, but also for the support of Classic Chevrolet at large. They have been longtime supporters

Do you know an Eagle Scout? This prestigious merit is only awarded to 6% of all Scouts in the nation! That’s why GRACE was honored to work Ayman Rashid with Boy Scout Troop 758, as he works diligently toward becoming an Eagle Scout. Because of his hard work and leadership, GRACE food pantry now has three large crates on wheels to use in day to day operations, and this upcoming holiday season! GRACE is very proud to work with Boy Scouts on their Eagle Projects. Staff members at GRACE are so thrilled when a project comes to fruition. Now, these crates can be filled with nutritious food, ready to be distributed to those in need. GRACE appreciates working with the community on service projects and welcomes all ideas to help our neighbors. These projects assist GRACE programs year round, but especially during critical periods such as the holiday season. If

What’s one of the best parts of being on the GRACE team? The opportunity to go out and serve the community! We are so thankful to all of our supporters, and make sure to take time to support others in the same way. Just in the last week, members of the GRACE staff participated in and volunteered with a number of community events!  First, Grapevine’s annual Grapefest took place last week from Thursday to Sunday. GRACE staff served at various booths serving beer and wine to festival attendees and had a blast. Great weather, fun friends, and celebrating the city GRACE calls home!  On Monday, Director of Community Engagement, Meredith Martin, participated in the annual Colleyville Chamber Golf Classic! She even took first place in the Women’s Long Drive!  Finally, GRACE sponsored the Southlake Chamber Luncheon yesterday for their North Texas Giving Day luncheon. Staff members attended not only to