Community Impact

AT A GLANCE Community Impact

WECREATION After years of planning, patience, and building renovation, St. Philip’s WeCreation Center - a unique CENTER OPENS extension of our Community Center programming – has finally opened. Located in a renovated 2,500 square AT ST. PHILIP'S foot building that was once an operating neighborhood lounge and liquor related business, WeCreation offers an open collaborative space for non-profits, businesses, and individuals to host programs and events that align with the center’s vision of being a site for community based human design, capacity building, and makerspace projects. We look forward to seeing the impact this new tangible resource will make in South Dallas and the southern sector.

AUNT BETTE’S COMMUNITY PANTRY SERVES AS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE

In Dallas County alone, there are over 360,000 people who are food insecure. Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry serves as a beacon of hope as we stand against hunger in our community. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our pantry has operated as a drive-through pick-up for low-income clients. We currently serve over 750 households, 1,800+ individuals, and distribute 700,000 pounds of food annually, thus making a significant impact on the nutritional needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Of late, Aunt Bette’s has expanded to serve not only as a place of refuge for food-insecure families, but as a trusted resource for other social services and assistance. This includes access to DART Go-Link programs, shoe and diaper giveaways, vaccine registrations, job fairs, and much more. These additional resources are provided in collaboration with several St. Philip’s partner organizations to ensure a holistic provision of support to our pantry clients.

WE CURRENTLY SERVE OVER 750 HOUSEHOLDS, 1,800+ INDIVIDUALS, AND DISTRIBUTE 700,000 POUNDS OF FOOD ANNUALLY, THUS MAKING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS.

DRIVE THRU THANKSGIVING MEAL FEEDS HUNDREDS

This was the second year we hosted a drive through Thanksgiving meal to safely serve our community and abide by Covid-19 precautions. St. Philip’s partnered with MW Logistics who provided hens, fresh produce, canned goods and dairy products to add to each Thanksgiving meal. Over 400 families drove through Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry to receive their food donations to enjoy a hearty meal. We are grateful to MW Logistics and our volunteers with the Dallas Spurs, Liverpool Supporters Clubs, who orchestrated this vital event.

DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR FAITHFUL MEN AND WOMEN: OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS STORE SERVES 500+ FAMILIES

With the lingering negative impact of the pandemic and economy on our immediate neighbors, St. Philip’s Annual Community Christmas Store is needed now more than ever. Last December, we served 500 families (twice as many from prior years) through this dignified We are fortunate to be Christmas “shopping” program. This trend of tremendous need change agents in South continues. Job loss, reduced household income, and lack of resources Dallas, providing warm is a reality for many in South Dallas. hearts and big smiles on Thankfully, we can depend on many faithful friends and supporters Christmas morning to ensure our responsiveness to our struggling neighbors. St. Philip’s is a recipient of the WFAA Channel 8 Santa’s Helpers program, and also receives toys, clothing, and other items donated by volunteers, board members, partner organizations, and school families to help stock the store. In fact, Saint Michael and All Angels Church members, alone, provided over 500 new coats to be distributed through the Christmas store this year! We continue to be grateful to the

Junior League of Dallas for their engagement, as the Christmas Store has been a Provisional Project for their organization for the past 10 years. Though times may be tough for many in our community, we are fortunate to be change agents in South Dallas, providing warm hearts and big smiles on Christmas morning for many.