In its more than 26 years of operation, the Round Rock Area Serving Center has evolved from operating out of the back of the car of founders Joe and Vera Bloomer to a successful nonprofit reaching out to more than 1,200 households every month with food, clothing and living assistance.

On Oct. 16, staff, volunteers and community members gathered at the nonprofit's headquarters near downtown Round Rock for a dedication of the building as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate paying off the debt owed on its property. The nonprofit moved into the $1.5 million, 13,000-square-foot facility in 2006.

"Our focus has been to pay off our building as fast as we can," RRASC Executive Director Lori Scott said. "Now even more of our focus can be on helping families."

In December 2012 the RRASC received a $245,000 matching grant from the St. David's Foundation to use for capital funding. With the addition of local donations, the nonprofit was able to pay off its debt balance in July, Scott said. In addition, St. David's awarded the center with $150,000 in program funding for 2013 and 2014—revenue that has allowed the organization to increase its full-time staff to five employees, Scott said.

The RRASC also receives the assistance of more than 250 volunteers each month, she said.

"We have had a long trail of donors who have come through at all levels to help raise funding," RRASC board Chairwoman Nancy Reeves said.

In honor of the milestone, the RRASC renamed its headquarters as the Bloomer-Scott Building after its founders and Scott, who has served as executive director for 13 years.

Joe Bloomer cited the generosity of local churches in helping forward the couple's vision of assisting local families in need.

"The [Palm Valley Lutheran Church] called Vera and I to a meeting [in 1987] and handed us a check for $10,000—and that's how we got started."

Round Rock Area Serving Center

1099 E. Main St., Round Rock

512-244-2431

www.rrasc.org