Winter Storm Relief Update
Today, as Dallas ISD students head back to school in warmer temperatures, it is hard to believe that only a week ago, we were in the throes of a community in crisis, dealing with a polar vortex winter storm that caused tremendous hardship for so many across our city and partner schools.
First, we would like to extend our tremendous gratitude for the outpouring of support. With the financial assistance of our donors, we were able to:
- Secure warming centers across the city for families struggling in freezing weather without power, and send volunteers to Dallas ISD warming centers at Conrad and Samuell High Schools. Developing this interactive map was also a great asset to guide educators to available resources.
- Provide groceries, water, and hot meals for ~2,000 students and their family members through collaborations with North Dallas Shared Ministries and incredible support from HPUMC. Volunteers distributed hundreds of grocery bags and boxes throughout apartment complexes in the Bachman Lake area and stocked the shelves at Buckner Community Center for family pick up. Additionally, hundreds of hot meals were shared with Jubilee Park & Community Center, Literacy Achieves (Vickery Meadow), Highland Meadows (Far Northeast Dallas) and Wilmer-Hutchins communities.
- Supplying donations of coats, blankets, water, etc. to those who need it most.
We are also thankful to have been included in this article in The Dallas Morning News, and listed by Commit, Orchid Giving Circle, Communities Foundation of Texas, and United Way as an organization actively supporting local families.
Second, we would like to share that the struggle is not resolved for many across our partner schools, who are doing their best to return to school today. Students, educators, and families are still dealing with lack of water, burst pipes, flood damage, and food/water supply shortages.