H-E-B, mental health, blood donation: 5 stories impacting Dallas-Fort Worth

The center will utilize robotics to more efficiently fill curbside and home delivery orders at H-E-B’s existing Plano and Frisco stores, along with the planned stores in McKinney, Allen and Frisco.

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2. Refugee Services of Texas to close Lake Highlands center amid agency shutdown

After 45 years of serving refugees and victims of human trafficking, Refugee Services of Texas plans to permanently close its seven offices, including its Dallas service center in Lake Highlands.

The social service agency was unable to raise needed funds to continue operating as a nonprofit, according to a news release. The organization announced May 10 that it planned to restructure to account for “severe budget shortfalls,” but those efforts were not enough to recover financially, the agency announced May 26. The agency will fully shut down by July, but it has already stopped servicing clients, spokesperson Chris Kelley said.

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3. Carter BloodCare calls for donations as summer approaches

With schools out for summer and families preparing for vacations, Carter BloodCare is reminding people to donate blood when they can.

Since high school blood drives account for about 25% of the region’s blood supply, donations typically drop as students go on summer break, said James Black, Carter BloodCare senior public relations specialist, in an email. The demand for blood, platelets and plasma never takes a break though, he said.

“Summer is a crucial time for the local blood supply,” Black said.

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4. Fort Worth police improve mental health response

According to Fort Worth Police Department officials, the Crisis Intervention Team is making strides in improving the interaction between law enforcement and individuals experiencing mental health crises.

The Crisis Intervention Team’s mission is to foster communication with the behavioral health community and develop solutions to assist those in need. The goal is to reduce involvement with the criminal justice system.

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5. Coppell looks to attract more restaurants to city

A city survey found Coppell residents want more restaurant options, and city officials want to oblige. There are 82 restaurants in Coppell, according to the city’s database. Most are fast casual or fast food—therefore, residents desiring a fine dining or full-service experience often go to surrounding communities, according to feedback from the 2022 Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Cities nationwide encounter challenges with attracting restaurants, but it’s especially challenging for places like Coppell, partly due to its size, said Mindi Hurley, the city’s community development director. Restaurant operators desire large populations to help ensure enough people are dining there throughout the day, she said.

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