As prices have begun to rise on gas and food, GRACE has seen both an increase in need and a decrease in donations, according to CEO Shonda Schaefer.
The nonprofit sent out an alert on June 3 with an immediate need for help restocking the food pantry, where items were running low. With this alert organizers say they saw a rise in donations, but still face worrisome trends as they head into the fourth quarter of fiscal year 21-2022.
GRACE is located in Grapevine and mainly serves the communities in north Tarrant County, but will supply aid to anyone in need regardless of location, officials said.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, GRACE served about 5,000 families a year. The needs have since increased, and it now serves more than twice that number of families a year.
“Now that we are serving over 12,000 families a year, the needs are significantly greater,” Schaefer said.
GRACE is predicting that by the end of the year they will have served more than 14,500 new, unduplicated clients. This means that the need for donations will continue to grow in the coming months.
Schaefer said that with inflation costs increasing, GRACE has seen a decrease in contributions to the nonprofit, leaving it unable to adequately provide for all of the families in need.
“Nobody is unaffected by the rising inflation costs,” Schaefer said. “But we need support right now, and our families need support.”
The food pantry is GRACE’s No. 1 priority right now, which means food and monetary donations are the organization’s greatest need. GRACE accepts online monetary donations through its Greater Giving site. Food donations are accepted at 837 E. Walnut St., Grapevine, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
More details about what is needed and will be accepted can be found on its website.
