Sack Summer Hunger was started in 2012 to provide food to youth that receive breakfast and lunch through a federal food program during the school year. However, during the summer the students do not have access to this program. Sack Summer Hunger fulfills an essential need to provide nutritious food during the summer so these young people are not left hungry.
I have had the chance to speak to counselors that identified students for this program and they were so appreciative that Metrocrest was there to help these students to have food to eat during the summer.
A few years ago i was approached with an opportunity to join the board of Metrocrest Social Services. I immediately fell in love with the program and the staff. It has been thrilling to see the growth of the programs and continued extended reach and benefit to the communities served. This entity is fiscally responsible and totally in synch with the community needs. I simply cannot say enough positive things about MSS!
On my first visit to MSS, I saw one of the local councilmen - carrying groceries to a client's car. That really moved me...about how real MSS is! The food pantry is set to allow clients to select their food, volunteers bag it and carry it to the car - usually laughing and talking.
I've seen this type of treatment throughout the organization. The clients get treated with respect - at a time when they need it most. I think this is so important! And the clients think so too. We have a high rate of "returns" - that is to return the favor! I've been there when the single mom dropped by to 'pay back' by giving MSS a gas gift certificate for $25 - she can afford it now and was passing it on.
The stories are endless, the need is too.
MSS is one of the most effective and efficient service organizations I have been associated with. The recent merger of MSS and Senior Adult Services significantly expanded the already broad outreach of the separate organizations. This also resulted in a much leaner staff team to deliver the programs and services. The several communities within which those programs and services are delivered benefit tremendously from having this organization in their midst. The relationships between the excellent staff, the terrific volunteers, the generous donors and the grateful program participants are a continuing source of pride and pleasure for me as a board member. If you are seeking a meaningful community service organization to support, you would do well to consider Metrocrest Social Services.
I have had the privilege of volunteering at Metrocrest Social Services for over ten years through my company and through my church. I have been involved in their back to school program that provides new shoes for students in all the years but one. It is a wonderful program and a good example of several of the agency's strengths. They partner with local businesses and churches to collect funds for the shoes and to provide volunteers to fit the children. They partner with Payless Shoes to have a special time for the families to come and be fitted. They also set the appointments for the fittings which helps everything run smoothly. The agency uses these same skills to operate a holiday store, resale store, food pantry and many other programs. This is in addition to their daily client program where skilled case workers work with individuals to help with crisis situations and current needs.
I am also a current board member and have loved helping serve our communities.
In 1994, I had the privilege of participating in my community's leadership program. It was the single biggest growing experience of my life. I was exposed to every aspect of life unlike I had experienced before. On our non-profit day, which was during the holiday season, Metrocrest Social Services was one of the places we visited. I will never forget the Executive Director speaking to our group, telling us all that this agency does in our community. While discussing the manner in which families were able to use the Christmas Store he made a statement that changed me forever. I will never forget his words when he said, "the greatest gift we can give is the gift of dignity. To not need credit for providing, but to let children believe that their parents were somehow able to provide Christmas is sometimes the greatest gift we can give." I love not only what MSS does during the holidays, but also throughout the year for all that they do for those in need, from the food pantry, to the summer hunger program for children to utility bill needs, to meals on wheels and driving for seniors. I am a donor, a volunteer and a proud Board member who has referred several individuals to this organization who have been in a season of need and all have commented on the grace with which they were treated. Thank you Metrocrest Social Services.
In 2013 two of the most respected organizations in the Metrocrest (Carrollton, Coppell, Addison and Farmers Branch TX) merged to provide services to the most marginalized citizens--the homeless, hungry, seniors and unemployed. It has been my pleasure to serve on both the boards which came together--Metrocrest Social Services and Senior Adult Services. It is our goal to help our clientele lead a healthy, more independent lifestyle. We have a caring staff, a cadre of concerned volunteers, a committed board and interested benefactors who continue to improve our services. Our food pantry puts food on the table; our case management staff coordinates health and social service needs; our transportation program gets senior to needed appointments and recreational opportunities; our home repair volunteers keep our seniors' home safe and secure; and our employment assistance programs prepare individuals to gain a meaningful life. We thank God for this agency and all it provides to our citizens.