Richardson | July 2022

“THE STOREHOUSE HAS GIVEN ME A PLACE NOT ONLY TO BE GOD’S HANDS AND FEET BUT ALSO TO ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.”

CANDACE WINSLOW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE STOREHOUSE OF COLLIN COUNTY

NONPROFIT FEATURE

In 2021, The Storehouse’s inaugural Youth Leadership Council was launched and was comprised of 36 teen students. The students helped serve patrons of Seven Loaves food pantry and more.

PHOTOS COURTESY THE STOREHOUSE OF COLLIN COUNTY

The Storehouse of Collin County Nonprot provides food, clothes and care T he Storehouse of Collin County opened the doors of a newly built space designed KAREN CHANEY

The Storehouse was founded by St. Andrew United Methodist Church in 2009. Winslow explained that the nonprot is separate from the church, but it operates there for free. The mission statement of The Storehouse is to feed, clothe and care as neighbors in one community. In addition to the food pantry, programs include the clothing closet Joseph’s Coat and Project Hope. Winslow said Project Hope is a transformational program that helps patrons with anything that is not food or clothing. “We look at the neighbor holisti- cally,” Winslow said. “‘Here’s food, here’s clothing. Where are you in your journey, and can we come alongside you and help you nd those resources?’” In addition to these services, The Storehouse Academy will be launched this summer. This program will begin as a 10-week English as a Second Language class for up to 60 patrons. Winslow said her work at The Storehouse answers her prayer. “The Storehouse has given me a place not only to be [God’s] hands and feet but also to encourage and inspire others to do the same.”

specically to host the Seven Loaves food pantry on Feb. 13, 2020. Exec- utive Director Candace Winslow said sta spent over a year planning exactly how the space would be used, and they already had a roster of volunteers ready to serve. “[It] was an awesome day,” Winslow said. “We had right under 100 neighbors, which was our sweet spot of serving.” Fast forward one month, and due to the pandemic, the company’s sta had to completely revamp proce- dures. Volunteers could not serve, and those vacancies were lled by sta members. They served approx- imately 120 neighbors, as they call their patrons, in March. By the rst week of April, without any warning, Winslow said they had 313 families roll through. “We were building the plane and ying at the same time,” Winslow said. “I feel so blessed that I worked with team members who were willing to do whatever it took to get it done.” Today, 425 families are served on average each day, she said.

Executive Director Candace Winslow said The Storehouse is one of the largest distributors in Collin County of food from the North Texas Food Bank.

SHAPING THE STOREHOUSE Three major events that shaped The Storehouse into what it is today 2009 St. Andrew United Methodist Church forges relationship with North Texas Food Bank, which leads to the Seven Loaves food pantry. 2019 Construction begins for the designated space for Seven Loaves. 2020 A ve-year vision is cast that births The Storehouse Academy program and sets a goal to launch a social enterprise to employ community members.

The Storehouse sta and volunteers often serve over 400 families per day.

The Storehouse of Collin County 1401 Mira Vista Blvd., Plano 469-385-1813 www.thestorehousecc.org Seven Loaves hours: Thu. 3:30-6 p.m., Sat. 8:30-11 a.m. Joseph’s Coat hours: Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (By appointment only)

PLANO PKWY.

RICHARDSON EDITION • JULY 2022