Grapevine Residents Come Together to Feed and Clothe Their Neighbors

There are several reasons to choose Grapevine, from its diverse small businesses to its quality public schools. However, many people are drawn here because of the engaged community members who are eager to help one another. One of the best examples of this is local organizations supporting the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE), a nonprofit that offers a food pantry, housing support, school supplies, and other services to those in need. 

“GRACE has been a staple of Grapevine since the 1980s, when our area was still very much in growth mode,” says Steven Jones, Senior Business Engagement Manager with Grapevine Economic Development. “As the Metroplex has grown, Grapevine has become a community at the center of it all, but GRACE continues its mission to care for residents.”  

While December is a popular time to give back, two local organizations make community support part of their year-round missions. Read their stories and see how you can get involved.    

121 Community Church Supports Multiple GRACE Programs

Grapevine residents looking for a faith community with a service-based mission can consider 121 Community Church. The organization has more than a dozen partners in Grapevine and across Texas, helping those who need assistance while encouraging people to get involved in causes they are passionate about.

“We try to partner in deep ways with the organizations we work with,” says Kevin Brooks, Mission Pastor at 121. “We want to work alongside our partners in whatever is going on.”

Brooks cites Jeremiah 29:7 when asked why 121 Community Church is so active in the community. The verse calls on followers to seek the welfare of the city where they live and serve it well.  

“We are called to love God and to love others,” says Brooks. “We try to work with the community and those who need our help as often as we can.”

Throughout the year, 121 collects donations for the GRACE Food Pantry and supplies for the Back-to-School Fair. The church is currently gathering toys for the Christmas Cottage. A few other organizations that 121 Community Church works with include Beautiful Feet Ministries, 6 Stones Mission Network, and Men of Nehemiah.  

Kilwins Trades Buckets of Food for Free Cones

The Grapevine Kilwins location also supported GRACE this year, encouraging customers to donate food in exchange for a sweet treat. In August, customers could take home an empty Kilwins bucket and return it with nonperishable food items. For each bucket returned, customers received a scoop of ice cream – either in a cup or a cone.

These buckets are large. Each one holds 50 scoops of ice cream, and Kilwins received around 50 to 60 buckets of food this August. It took the owners, Liz and Jen Bartlett, three trips in their packed car to deliver all the food to GRACE.

“Customers loved bringing in buckets of food and then picking out their favorite ice cream flavors,” says Liz Bartlett, daughter of Jen. “It felt like the whole community was pitching in to help those in need.”

Kilwins repeated the fundraiser in November during the government shutdown, when many people weren’t getting paid or couldn’t access food support services.

Liz explains that they held their fundraiser in the summer because food pantries typically receive fewer donations during that time. “Everybody donates during the holiday season,” she says. “But GRACE supports those in need year-round.”

The Bartletts were also happy to collect donations as a way to connect with the community. They say many people don’t realize that franchisees are also local business owners.

“We are a mom and pop business, just like anyone else on Main Street,” says Jen.

Grapevine Residents Can Find What They Are Passionate About  

Living in a community where people care about each other means residents can discover what excites them. The Bartletts turned their passion for fudge into a business opportunity and then gave back to the community at large. Social organizations, such as the Grapevine Young Professionals, often fundraise for local causes in the area. Everyone has a place in Grapevine and can find a way to help others.  

“We invite anyone who wants to make a difference in Grapevine to volunteer with us for a few hours,” says Lauren Rose, Communications Director for 121 Community Church. “We want to know what you are passionate about and what drives you.”

Whether you want to collect coats and other winter-weather gear for the unhoused or hand out toys to kids, there are ways to care for your Grapevine neighbors while finding a community of people you love. 

Learn More About Life in Grapevine

There are several reasons to choose Grapevine, whether you are looking for a new home for your organization, want to launch a business, or are starting a family. Grapevine’s strategic location between Dallas and Fort Worth makes traveling to both communities easy, while providing a space for you to call home. Its proximity to DFW airport is also an asset, whether you travel for business or pleasure. 

Find what you need in Grapevine or let us help you get settled here. We can’t wait to see what changes you bring.