Give * Go * Serve!
It’s hard to believe that one of the biggest needs in our community is something many of us often take for granted every day: food. Consider these facts.
- Almost 120,000 students in the Dallas Independent School District relied on the free or reduced-price lunch during the last academic year. That’s 77% of the district’s total enrollment.
- US Department of Agriculture researchers, using data from 2005-2007, found that almost 15% of Texas households experienced food insecurity during that time.
- The average annual income for a family that seeks help from a Texas Food Bank is just $9,000.
Because the need in our community is so great, Watermark is focusing on hunger outreach during the month of June. And there are many ways you can help:
GIVE
Stuff the Truck Food Drive
When: June 13 * 20* 27 Before and after all services
Where: Watermark (look for the truck parked between the Worship Center and Watermark Tower)
What to Bring: Nonperishable items. See list included with this article.
GO
1. Help Receive Food Donations at Watermark
When: June 13 * 20* 27 (before and after all services)
Where: Watermark
What to Do: 10 people per service needed to set up, receive donations, load the truck, etc.
What Else: Sign-up by email: externalfocus@watermark.org
2. Deliver, Unload and Sort Donations
When/Where: June 15 @ Brother Bill’s
Week of June 20 @ Network of Community Ministries
June 29 @ Brother Bill’s
What to Do: drive truck, deliver food, unload, sort donations
What Else: Sign-up by email: externalfocus@watermark.org
SERVE
Brother Bill’s Helping Hand – Grocery Store
Wednesdays/Thursdays 10:30-12:30 (family friendly)
- Unload truck Monday mornings
- Wednesdays /Thursdays visit with neighbors and help with distribution of food during Grocery Store
- Restock shelves in the afternoons
Network of Community Ministries – Big Meals for Little Kids
June 14 – July 23
- Prepare and pack sack lunches for children in the RISD school district that would normally receive food at school. 25 volunteers needed.
- Deliver sack lunches to apartment complexes in the area – drivers needed!
The Stewpot – Summer Survival Kits
- Fill gallon zip lock bags with non-perishable items that will make this summer a little easier for the homeless.
- Write notes of encouragement, inspiration and support with scripture inside the bag.
- Deliver to The Stewpot, 1822 Young Street, Dallas 75201
To Sign Up, Email: externalfocus@watermark.org
WHERE WE’RE HELPING
Food drive donations will be delivered to:
Network of Community Ministries
- Serves the 14 zip codes that reside in the RISD district
- Assists 600-700 families a month
- Distributes more than 10,000 pounds of food a week to families
- 45% are single parent households
- 60% of all children living within the RISD district are below the poverty level
Brother Bill’s Helping Hand
- Builds one-on-one relationships with neighbors in West Dallas
- Meets practical needs in the community and offers relationships, education services and encouragement to families in West Dallas
In 2005, 687 households in West Dallas made more than 13,000 visits to this community ministry, which offers everything from a clothes closet and food pantry to ESL classes and Bible studies
