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Community Impact……………...…Page
AT A GLANCE Community Impact
ST. PHILIP’S TO EXPAND AUNT BETTE’S COMMUNITY PANTRY
Over the past six years, Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry has bloomed into St. Philip’s School and Community Center’s largest and most vital social service program. Our comprehensive, collaborative, and strategic approach to “dignified” hunger relief has become a model for food pantries in other areas across the metroplex. In fact, Aunt Bette’s was one of a few area pantries that remained operational during the pandemic; pivoting to a “drive thru”, low touch model to reduce the spread of Covid and ensure client and volunteer safety. Over the last two years, the pantry increased its impact to serving 850+ households and distributing over 800,000 pounds of food to St. Philip’s most vulnerable neighbors.
This past June, Aunt Bette's officially resumed the client choice grocery shopping model, as St. Philip’s prepares to expand the pantry’s footprint, scope, and reach over the next twelve months by relocating it to a larger building located across the street. Fundraising efforts for this $1 million+ project began last year. So far, The Addy Foundation, Clements Foundation, and The Theodore & Beulah Beasley Foundation have enthusiastically joined St. Philip’s in this important work that will allow for increased efficiency, volunteer and community engagement, and expanded services.
Aunt Bette’s is an integral part of creating holistic change in the community and families in South Dallas, of which more than 200,000 citizens suffer from the effects of food inequity and insecurity. The new pantry building will undergo renovation in early 2023 and will offer a 50 percent increase in interior space for facilities and triple the pantry’s current parking availability. In addition to expanded facilities, Aunt Bette’s will be positioned to provide more wraparound services and nutrition classes in collaboration with several community partners.
Ultimately, through this project, St. Philip’s will be yet one step closer toward eradicating hunger in our neighborhood and ensuring South Dallas blooms into a thriving, healthy community.
Lael Brodsky, donor and volunteer, occupies child while mother shops.
AUNT BETTE’S CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Aunt Bette’s is a big help for me in this time of my life. If it wasn’t for Bette’s pantry, I don’t know what I’d do. I love the people there. They are so nice. Whatever you need, they will help you any way they can, and I thank them for helping me with food. Cost of food is so high. I’m glad to have the pantry here to help me. God bless St. Philip’s.
I catch the bus to keep pantry appointments and I am so THANKFUL for the pantry assisting me with food AND a wagon for my groceries. With the price of food rising, it’s very difficult to keep food on my table.
I had nowhere to turn to when I lost my job due to the pandemic. I’ve never needed help for anything. I live in this neighborhood and always appreciated St. Philip’s but I never thought I would personally need one of its services.
SUMMER PROGRAM ADOPTS CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND FREEDOM SCHOOL MODEL
This past summer, St. Philip’s became the only organization in Dallas/Fort Worth to serve as site for the celebrated Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School model. Established nearly thirty years ago, Freedom Schools empower youth to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, country and world with hope, education, and action. This ethos aligns perfectly with St. Philip’s noble mission!
Freedom Schools are currently based in 30 states and more than 100 cities across the country. In Dallas, over 150 summer scholars were emboldened by St. Philip’s six-week program that focused on literacy and creative arts, in addition to the research-based and multicultural curriculum model that is a hallmark of CDF’s Freedom Schools. St. Philip’s provided full-ride scholarships to 42 summer scholars who live in our immediate neighborhood service areas.
With an active focus on developing a love of reading and to prevent summer learning loss, we were able to track and measure the kindergarten through 7th grade participants’ progress. Several students displayed an increased level of understanding and interest in what they were reading by the summer’s end.
Each day of Freedom School started with Harambee, a gathering of community. “Harambee” gave our students a fresh start with cheers and chants, a motivational song, an inspirational book read-aloud by a guest, and a moment of silence. This afforded all students a daily reminder that they are strong, loved and empowered to lead! As we know, learning happens best in an environment where students feel safe, supported and inspired.
We are thankful for the individuals and organizations who partnered with us in serving our scholars and their families, and for every parent who entrusted us with their children throughout the summer. We look forward
to becoming a standout Freedom School in the region for many summers to come.
SENIOR SERVICES ARE BACK IN ACTION!
Our return to senior services is in full swing! Out of an abundance of caution, throughout the pandemic, our cherished senior community was unable to gather or participate in their usual activities. We are so grateful to be able to come back and be better together. With the help of our partners at Top Ladies of Distinction, Top Teens of America and St. Philip’s Parent School Association, we resumed the Annual Senior Soirée in October. It was a joyous occasion of dancing, laughter and fellowship with entertainment provided by Soul Inspirational Line Dance Company. Attendees shared: “It was perfect! Thank you for remembering seniors. Great event!” and “New friends, food, and fun. It was a fantastic event!”
We’ve also renewed transportation services for seniors in the community. Twice a month, a group of seniors is shuttled to and from the grocery store and miscellaneous shops to purchase goods and run errands. The outing lasts about two hours, and gives seniors the opportunity for fellowship and for taking care of basic needs. This program is another meaningful way St. Philip’s continues to serve its neighbors.
GIVING THANKS THROUGH IT ALL
The Annual Thanksgiving Feast was a great success! Over 120 attendees had the opportunity to socialize over a delicious meal. The feeling of gratitude filled the room as prayers of thanks were uplifted.
Volunteers from Girl Scouts of America, Jesuit College Preparatory School, The Dallas Stars, and Thirty-Four Commercial joined hands in service to our community as hosts, platers, greeters, and servers. We also had members of St. Philip’s Parent School Association, faculty and staff contribute to the festivities at the feast. We were especially excited to have our Middle School students volunteer for this annual community event. Our 6th and 7th graders have shared service-learning experiences monthly. We extend a huge thank you to all who participated, served, and donated in this season of giving and gratitude.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS STORE BECOMES A LEGACY PROJECT FOR JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS
For two decades, St. Philip’s School and Community Center has hosted its Annual Christmas Store which offers a dignified “shopping” experience to participants, much like our food pantry. The Junior League of Dallas (JLD) has partnered with St. Philip’s in planning, implementing, and leading the volunteer effort for this heartwarming program for the past several years. We were ecstatic to learn of the program becoming an official “legacy project” of the JLD which will ensure the Christmas Store will be a constant resource for our community. This is a win-winwin for those we serve, the JLD, and St. Philip’s!
Christmas Store families are afforded an opportunity to make holiday gift selections from a myriad of brand-new toys, electronics, clothing, and household items that are graciously donated by individuals, corporate and faithbased partners. The Store is staffed by generous volunteers from the Junior League, Santa’s Helpers, and St. Philip’s staff, faculty, and trustees. This year, we received applications for approximately 167 families, accounting for 500 children whose Christmas wishes came true!
