The GRACE Pantry targets the issue of food insecurity throughout Tarrant County on a daily basis. Food insecurity is defined as the “lack of consistent access to food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.” For many families, the cost of food, rent and utilities has increased significantly more in the last year than incomes have which bring many families to GRACE. The number of families who come to GRACE in need of food has increased greatly. Currently, the GRACE Pantry is filling food requests for an average of over 900 visits per month. The total number of pantry visits in the past fiscal year has risen just under 60% from the year before. When looking at holiday food distribution, the total number of holiday food “baskets” distributed during Thanksgiving and Christmas this year when compared to last is a 51% increase.
GRACE works hard to bridge the gaps that families and individuals are facing that make it hard for them to cover the basic needs of their families. Families who come to GRACE for food are also given other resources in the community to help meet their needs. GRACE hopes that through having access to mobile pantries (including the monthly White’s Chapel Mobile Pantry which is a partnership with GRACE) in the area and information on other Pantries that can be accessed when needed, families will find the way to combine these resources in order to have consistent access to food.
Another major support for the families who request services from GRACE is SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). This program was formally known as “Food Stamps” and is a national program that provides food-purchasing assistance for families and individuals who are struggling with poverty. GRACE Care Managers who meet with each family requesting services, discuss this program and encourage households to apply for these services. Many of the families served report having difficulty with the application process and many simply gave up on the process all together.
These reports prompted GRACE to search for SNAP Navigators to help households with this process. In partnership with Tarrant Area Food Bank, American Heart Association, and City Square in Dallas, GRACE currently has two SNAP Navigators who come to GRACE to assist families in the application process. Each month, many of our GRACE families are approved for this important program. The fight against hunger continues and GRACE will continue to find ways to assist families in need.
Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, GRACE will continue to provide food and hygiene items to families in need. Please consider donating your time or food items to GRACE to help us continue to reach these needs. Please consider looking at our most needed pantry items list on our website at www.gracegrapevine.org or call us to see how you can help.
