“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
In 2021, The Storehouse’s inaugural Youth Leadership Council was launched and comprised 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 Nonpro t provides food, clothes and care T he Storehouse of Collin County opened the doors of a newly built space in Plano KAREN CHANEY
SHAPING THE STOREHOUSE
Three major events shaped The Storehouse into what it is today. 2009 St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano 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.
“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. The Storehouse was founded by St. Andrew United Methodist Church in 2009. Winslow explained the non- pro t is separate from the church, but it operates there for free. In addition to the food pantry, programs include the clothing closet Joseph’s Coat and Project Hope. “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?’”
designed to host the Seven Loaves food pantry Feb. 13, 2020. Executive Director Candace Winslow said sta spent over a year planning exactly how the space would be used, and they already had a roster of volun- teers ready to serve. Fast forward a 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 approximately 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.
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)
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FRISCO EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2022
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