The market, located at 9085 Dogwood St., provides a grocery store-like setting for clients of Frisco Family Services, according to its website. The market provides hygiene and household products and nutritious food choices, such as meat, dairy and fresh produce.
“We’ve had a huge number of individuals really needing to utilize the market, because the cost of food is up significantly,” said Nicole Bursey, executive director of Frisco Family Services.
The nonprofit relies heavily on school food drives throughout the year, so food donations are typically reduced through the summer. As less food was coming in and the number of visits increased, Frisco Family Services has had difficulty in keeping the shelves stocked, Bursey said.
The planned donation drive Nov. 5 is part of Frisco Family Services’ FeedFrisco campaign, a community initiative started about seven years ago, Bursey said. The nonprofit hosts two community-wide food drives each year in July and November. Frisco Family Services does not have a numerical goal for the campaign, but Bursey said if the nonprofit could secure about 30,000 pounds of food, it would provide about 25,000 meals to the community.
In November, the market typically sees an increase in the number of families seeking assistance ahead of the holidays, Bursey said. Comparing last fiscal year to this year through September, the market has seen a 16% increase in the number of visits, an 18% increase in the number of families served, a 10% increase in the number of seniors on a fixed income served and a 13% increase in the number of meals provided.
“It’s really critical to maintain [the market], because we are a sole source for a lot of seniors and families in our community,” Bursey said.
FeedFrisco lists several ways people can help, including shopping on Amazon via AmazonSmile, per the website. For every purchase made through Amazon Smile, the company donates 5 cents of the purchase total to Frisco Family Services at no extra cost to the customer.
Other ways include hosting a donation drive, adopting a shelf in the market, donating a financial gift or donating goods to the market at its location, according to Frisco Family Services’ website.
Frisco Family Services is also hosting a Thanksgiving Meal Program ahead of the holiday season, according to its website. Frisco Family Services can provide each qualified individual and family with a turkey and everything needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Individuals can help by sponsoring Thanksgiving meal boxes, donating grocery store gift cards—which will be used to purchase turkeys and other items needed for the meal boxes—or contributing financially to support the program.Most adults between 18 years old and 49 years old with no children can enroll in the Texas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for three months in a three-year period, according to Texas Health and Human Services’ website. The benefit period can be longer if the person works at least 20 hours a week or is in a job training program. Households with all members age 60 and older are eligible for the Texas Simplified Application Project, which makes the application process easier and provides three years of benefits at a time instead of six months.
If someone is out of work because they lost their job, they may not qualify for state food programs, Bursey said. Households that qualify for state food programs may find that it’s not enough as food prices are rising still, she said.
“For a lot of households, we’re it,” Bursey said.
Urgent needs at the Frisco Family Services Market:
- pasta and pasta sauce (all varieties)
- canned meats (tuna, chicken, Spam)
- boxed meal helpers (Hamburger/Tuna Helper, or mac and cheese)
- almond, rice and soy milks
- condiments (mayo, ketchup, salad dressing, relish)
- flour
- sugar
- cooking oil (24 ounces or 48 ounces)
- seasonings (all varieties)
- sandwich bread
- boxed snacks
- juice boxes (small)
- bottled water
- shampoo, conditioner, body wash/bath soap, deodorant,
- facial cleanser (full size)
- feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads)
- laundry detergent
- dishwashing soap
- household cleaners (surface cleaners, disinfectants)
Where to donate:
9085 Dogwood St., Frisco
972-335-9495
www.friscofamilyservices.org
Mon.-Tue., Thu.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wed. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
