As we prepare to move Mission Central's offices and the Village Pantry to a larger space, we have many needs for furnishings and equipment. If you can help provide any of the following items, please contact Paula Jernigan at 817-595-0011 or missioncentralmetroplex@hotmail.com to make a donation or for more details on the specific equipment needed.

In just a few weeks, Mission Central's offices and the Village Pantry will be moving into our new facility at 740 East Pipeline Road.

This much-needed larger space will help us accommodate our current and future growth. Once we move in, we'll have the ability to grow existing programs, improve efficiencies, and explore new programming options.

If you'd like to get a sneak peak of the space and learn more about how the move will help us serve our community, please join us on one of our upcoming "Hard Hat Tours." We'll meet at 732A East Pipeline Road and then walk the few doors down to the construction area. The tours will take place on Sunday, August 3 at 1:30 pm, Tuesday, August 5 at 6:00 pm and Tuesday, August 12 at noon.

The countdown is on until the fall semester starts at the Village Library and until we move into our new offices and pantry space. As we gear up for these events, we're looking to fill many new volunteer spots.

In the next 4-6 weeks, we need to fill out our volunteer schedule in the following areas:

After-School Tutor at the Village Library

Receptionist at Mission Central

ShineTime Team at Mission Central

Lobby Host for the Village Pantry

Pantry Assistant at the Village Pantry

Intake Assistant at the Village Pantry

More urgently, we also need strong volunteers with trucks who are willing to be "on-call" to help with donation pick-ups at the Coat of Many Colors.

If you're interested in any of these volunteer positions, please contact Catherine Hollis at missioncentralvolunteers@gmail.com or 817-595-0011.

Mission Central's staff and volunteers are guided by our four CORE values: Compassion, Open-Mindedness, Respect, and Empowerment. From time to time, we feature stories of those values in action.

Earlier this month, a woman drove up right at closing time. She was barefoot and frantic, saying "Thank God I got here before you closed!" She said her life was falling apart. In fact, she had fled her situation so quickly that she hadn't even taken the time to get shoes.  

She had come to the Village Pantry previously, and said she remembered that we had treated her with kindness.  When her crisis hit, she thought to come here first.  She told us that she had come here to feel that kindness and acceptance again, even if just for a few minutes. Our volunteers helped calm her down, gave her an emergency bag of food, prayed with her, and guided her to a local Crisis Hotline. When she left, she promised to let us know how she's doing if at all possible. 

We are so proud that our neighbors know that they'll find compassion and respect when they walk through our doors. Thanks to all of the volunteers who demonstrate our CORE values to the community each day.

North Texas Giving Day is set for Thursday, September 18th. Mission Central will once again be participating with charities across North Texas as we raise funds for our many organizations.

You'll hear more about this event in the coming weeks, but be sure to mark your calendar and visit www.northtexasgivingday.org on September 18.  We'll also be hosting an Open House at 740 East Pipeline Road from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on that day, so be sure to come visit us and see our new home!