The approach
Bursey said the nonprofit’s mission is to support individuals within the Frisco ISD community—which includes Frisco and parts of Plano, Little Elm and McKinney—who are facing hunger, homelessness and other urgent needs, by helping them move toward self-sufficiency.
FFS helps families with basic needs like food, clothing and emergency financial assistance including paying portions of clients’ rent or utilities. Intangible services rendered include workforce development and life skills.
“We're taking care of the basics, but also empowering them with the skills and the abilities that they need to move forward in the future,” Bursey said.
The setup
Prior to 2020, FFS services were offered in multiple locations. In 2020, FFS moved all operations to Dogwood Street, which allowed clients to have a “one-stop-shop experience,” Bursey said.
The market, which is funded by financial gifts from the community, in-kind support and grant revenue, stocks grocery store items.
“A lot of times you may say, ‘I need help with my rent over food because I feel really poor if I have to get free food,’” Bursey said. “We try to take the sting out of that. Clients can shop in person like you would in any grocery store.”
Community members are welcome to donate and purchase gently used items—such as clothing and household goods—from the resale store. FFS clients can also shop using provided vouchers.
Who it’s for
To become an FFS client, proof of residency and a documented crisis must be shown.
“If you've lost a job, you've probably applied for unemployment with the Texas Workforce. Or, if you've been out of work sick, you have seen a medical doctor,” Bursey said. ”It's not, ‘I made a decision to buy furniture instead of paying my rent.’ That won't get a thumbs up.”
Get involved
Bursey said there are a variety of ways to support FFS including financial donations and volunteering. Volunteer opportunities range from annual events like a back-to-school fair to weekly commitments at the market or resale store.
Quote of note
Bursey said during the fiscal year ending in June, FFS provided 577,000 meals from the market—that number does not include the nine-week summer lunch program.
“In Frisco ... people tend to think that there is no need, [that] everybody's thriving. What happens in other communities, happens here—it’s just hidden,” Bursey said. “You may not see someone on the tollway holding up a sign saying, ‘I'll work for food,’ but you can go into some of the most affluent neighborhoods, open a refrigerator and it's empty.”
- 9111 Dogwood St., Frisco
- www.friscofamilyservices.org
