Today, she is the center’s executive director, and in her time, she said the organization has focused on meeting a number of residents’ needs.
“Our mission is to be able to help families in need and help them to become more self-sufficient,” Rubestello said.
The full story
Since June 1987, Pearland Neighborhood Center has served as northern Brazoria County’s only multiservice agency, Rubestello said. It offers services such as:
- Food and baby pantry
- Emergency assistance
- School supplies
- Disaster relief
- Utility and rent assistance
These facilities and programs support the center’s overall mission to not only provide basic necessities but also support people who are currently struggling to “get back on their feet” and be self-sufficient.
The center is largely run by volunteers, some of whom, like Rubestello, formerly received support from the center.
“I always tell my board, I want my numbers one day to say I had nobody come in this month only because that means the ones who have been coming are now more self-sufficient,” Rubestello said.
What else?
Although the center primarily serves low-income families and individuals, Rubestello said that in recent years, they’ve seen more middle-class clients reach out for support.
“[We’re seeing] families that were maybe making ... $150,000 yesterday, but now you have cancer and you can’t work anymore,” Rubestello said.
Rubestello said it’s common for community members to seek assistance for one specific item, such as pantry staples. However, after having a one-on-one conversation, the center often discovers they have many additional needs.
“You make an application, and you tell us your story, and we try to figure out what your life history is and what all your needs are, not just the one you’re coming in for,” board Director Buck Stevens said.
To prepare for natural disasters, such as Hurricane Beryl, the center always keeps disaster preparedness kits on hand and works with local pharmacies to make sure senior citizens can get their prescriptions filled.
“I’ve always envisioned the center being the hub of the wheel,” Stevens said. “We should be the first three words that come out of any emergency responder's mouth.”
Stevens said in the center’s early days, more people in Pearland knew about the center and considered it the community’s most reliable place to find resources and support.
Since the city has grown, more people, especially newcomers, are unfamiliar with the center and what it provides—a hurdle Stevens hopes the center can overcome through marketing.
The cost
The center recently secured a $50,000 grant to build the computer lab, remodel the pantry and install a new generator.
To run its operations, the center relies heavily on grants and proceeds from two annual fundraisers—a golf tournament and a crawfish boil. A portion of revenue from Pearland Restaurant Weeks also supports the center.
Looking ahead
Pearland Neighborhood Center is currently seeking holiday food and gift items to be dropped off at the center’s address at 2335 North Texas Ave., Pearland, by Dec. 13. A list of needed items can be found at www.pnctexas.com.
Separately, the center will accept nonperishable food and monetary donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 as part of ABC13’s Share Your Holidays Food Drive.
Registered families can pick up their boxes Dec. 18 and 19.
