It only take a few minutes to help a child thet may otherwis go hungry CommunityStorehouse

NEWS UPDATEs

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(Pictured: Dr. Karen Rue - NWISD Superintendent, NWISD Board President, Barbara Board –Community Storehouse Executive Director, Rachelle Cooper – Community Storehouse Board Member & NWISD Employee)

Community Storehouse is an Official Partner in Education with Northwest ISD

Community Storehouse has the distinction of being an Official 2010 Partner in Education with Northwest ISD. Dr. Karen Rue, NISD Superintendent of Schools presented Barbara Board, Executive Director of Community Storehouse with a plaque on June 14 th, 2010. Community Storehouse has achieved the highest level, platinum, for contributions of more than $3,000 to the district via donations, volunteer hours, and other means of support. In addition, Community Storehouse has adopted the “Northwest Business Promise” to support the success of students throughout the community, encourage employees to volunteer within the public schools, maintain dialogue with NWISD officials, never dock pay for employees attending parent/teacher conferences during regular business hours, and urge other businesses to adopt the pledge and accept this commitment. Community Storehouse realizes the importance of working cooperatively for the good of the children. This designation further reinforces the 28 years of support history to local children through the mission of being dedicated to the well-being and education of the children in the community which Community Storehouse continues to provide.

As a local non-profit organization that helps guarantee success in school and make graduation possible for children in the Keller and Northwest Independent School districts, Community Storehouse is vitally important to student achievement and the local economy. During times of crisis Community Storehouse intervenes to accommodate the needs of children. These services include: medical/dental care, eye care, prescriptions, school supplies, food, clothing, shelter, utilities, and counseling. “Rebuilding lives” for families in crisis to regain stability and “building character” through service-learning, Community Storehouse strives to serve every child.

Community Storehouse Expands Hope for Local Kids

FINAL May 1, 2009

The Impact:

The Community Storehouse offers assistance to children within the Keller and Northwest ISD. This assistance comes in the form of clothing, supplies, medical care, food and education just to name a few. One in seven children in Keller ISD and one in five children in Northwest ISD utilize the services of the Community Storehouse. The primary goal is to provide children with things they need for their education and to keep families together in times of crisis. This is primarily for people who are experiencing a crisis in their household, perhaps a job loss, sudden death of a family member, unexpected illness.
In 2008, we were able to help more than 200 families and 700 children each month. Additionally we were able to provide meals for approximately 700 children during the summer months that otherwise would not have a meal since they would usually be given a free lunch at school. This summer, we are developing a new reading program that will be piloted with 150 children within the Keller ISD. We are also expanding the summer lunch program in 2009 to accommodate the growing needs of the community.
In 2009, we have seen an increase of just over 100%. This increase is primarily due to job loss.

The Facilities Issue:

Currently Community Storehouse operates out of two locations. One location is located on Keller Hicks Road and houses the resale shop, the donation center, the food bank and the offices. The second location in Roanoke houses the case managers who work with families to provide assistance with mortgages, healthcare, dental and vision and any other issue that needs attention in order to help the child succeed.
The Keller Hicks location has been generously subsidized by a local benefactor. Willis Berry allowed Community Storehouse to operate at the location for a very favorable price. He passed away from cancer two years ago and we must find a new location that will house the expanded programs for the community. The lease expires August 2010 so we are looking for space. Our three to five year plan has been moved to an unexpected 1 ½ year expansion move.
The Roanoke location was opened through the generosity of a donor and completely subsidized for three years. We feel that having this second location accomplishes two things: (1) it allows a presence in Northwest ISD and (2) it allows the case managers a place to meet privately with families. While this lease expires in August 2009, the main issue is to find the financial means to keep this location up and running due to the expanded need in the area.

What We Want:

The Community Storehouse staff and Board of Directors wants the public to understand that there is an ever increasing need for the services that we provide in the nearly 300 square miles of territory and within that area there are thousands of children in need. In 2009, we are projecting help for more than 6,000 children. As such we want the community to know that we are committed to continuing our mission and expanding services as efficiently and conveniently as possible.
Ideally we are looking for warehouse space (7,000-10,000 square feet) to house the main location, food pantry and donation center. We are open a lease or purchase depending on the situation. We are hopeful that this move to will lead to a permanent home for the Community Storehouse.

The Sustainability Plan:

We are opening a second resale shop to keep revenue going while we move. Amon G. Carter Foundation has generously donated $50,000 to make this happen. The resale shop is our largest and most consistent revenue generator. This resale shop will be located on Rufe Snow and is slated to open in June 2009
We need to secure long term funding for the Roanoke location. The Hudson Foundation has generously provided $20,000 to allow us to stay open through the end of the summer.
Cross Timbers Church has donated $50,000 seed money towards securing a permanent location. This is where we want to house the donation drop center, the food bank and administrative offices. This needs to be secured as soon as possible as the lease is up August 2010.
Once we have the administrative offices, donation center and food bank secured in its new location, we will begin our search for another location for a second resale shop.

Our numbers are continuing to increase do to the current financial state of our country. We are up, in qualified requests, this year by 57% over last year. When asked what our focus is for 2009; we will hold tight and do the best we can to provide for these increasing numbers without increasing our overhead. How can we do this with such large numbers? We need you, your Church, your business, your friends, your family, and your neighbors to come forward and help our staff and current volunteers. Please call us today to find out more about our increasing needs.

Awarded “Organization of the Year” by Speedway Children’s Charities in 2007.
Provide essential assistance to over 200 families/700 children in need each month
Provide Summer Lunch Program to an estimated 668 children for three months
School Supplies and Shoe Vouchers given to 472 children in 2006
451 families/1,689 people were served in 2005 whereas 557 families/2084 people (children and adults) were served in 2006 for crisis assistance.
Client services office opened in Roanoke, TX in addition to Keller facility which has a food pantry, donation center, resale store & administration offices.
Collaborations with Lena Pope Home to provide mental health services and Denton County Friends of the Family for victims of abuse in providing specialized treatment.
Multi-generational service projects, school team building activities, community based education training for special needs students, youth education leadership service with National Honor Societies, 4-H Clubs, Teen Court programs, Girl Scouts of America projects and Eagle Scouts projects are being successfully supervised with excellent results, promoting better human relationships and a sense of community.
Elderly volunteers are mentoring and teaching the youth proper work ethics, skills training for jobs, and important values for development.
Lending Library is being established at Roanoke to improve literacy and help in early childhood development/parenting skills.
Special Programs for Children give stability to children by providing healthy food, clothing suited to the existing seasonal climate, school supplies as tools to success in learning, and toys/gifts/clothing provide a feeling of normalcy to disadvantaged children during the holidays.(2883 children served in 2006)
Special family/child development training events (Snow Day & Family Picnic).
Excellent volunteers mentoring youth volunteers: Rose Tolfa chosen Star-Volunteer/Star-Telegram, George Harlan named KRLD Community Hero, Olivia Pace named Outstanding Volunteer by Volunteer Center of North Texas, Nicole Castro received First Lady’s Rising Star Award of Texas and Kelley Pledger was selected as the Community Motivator for 2008 by the Texas Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel.

80% of staffing is provided by dedicated volunteers