Story and photos by Jan Osborn.
In North Dallas, poverty and prosperity exist side by side. With the public schools closed, thousands of students miss receiving their free and reduced price breakfasts and lunches and now their parents also are going hungry because they are out of work. Luckily, a local charity partnered with a local church to help supplement Dallas ISD’s efforts to satisfy the basic needs of families. “Tackling the challenge of remote learning is one thing, but figuring out how to learn, while you are also hungry is another. United to Learn is thrilled to partner with The Grove Church to distribute meals to the Dallas ISD elementary students and their families who need support while COVID-19 is keeping them away from their schools,” said Carol Pierce Goglia, president of United to Learn.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for the near future, members of The Grove will be handing out meals to DISD families. The families are directed to drive up to the church parking lot and the volunteers (only 10 volunteers allowed to serve per day and the designated six feet apart) put the needed amount of brown bagged lunches into the car trunk for the families. Ellie Sloan, The Grove’s Serving Coordinator, stated “In partnership with United to Learn, we have the ability to love on our neighbors in a safe way, and in a way that brings us all into community with one another.” In just three days, The Grove has handed out over 1000 meals to Dallas ISD families. Rev. Allie Shulman, The Grove’s Executive Pastor, summed up why the church is thrilled to be serving this particular community: “We are so fortunate to have two DISD schools right in our neighborhood. Making sure all those kids get enough to eat while school is closed is just part of how we understand Jesus’ command to love your neighbor. “
United to Learn is a coalition of public elementary schools, private institutions and engaged community members who have come together to change lives by transforming the relationship between schools and community. If you would like to help feed DISD families, visit United to Learn to donate.
If this story has inspired you to support the North Texas nonprofit community, visit our How to Support Nonprofits During Social Isolation page to learn how you can get involved!
