Editor’s Note: In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine, we will focus on philanthropies that are making a difference in our community. If you would like to nominate a nonprofit to be celebrated in the pages of the magazine, email pmotte@hylogroup.com.
NETWORK OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES
Offering Respect and Dignity to Our Richardson Neighbors
By Ben Jones
Since 1985, Network of Community Ministries (a.k.a. Network) has been working to provide important resources for our neighbors in need. The organization has become deeply intertwined with the Richardson community, partnering with Richardson ISD and the City of Richardson to better meet the needs of its citizens. However, Network’s services don’t stop at providing food and clothing for those within Richardson’s city limits. This organization’s services reach much further and deeper than many know. Network’s service area consists of the fourteen zip codes that make up Richardson ISD, which means helping families from parts of Dallas, Garland and Plano in addition to Richardson. With a service area spanning from White Rock Lake to the President George Bush Turnpike and consisting of more than 400,000 individuals, Network impacts a diverse population coming from a variety of circumstances. Additionally, Network’s neighbors may not be what people expect. More than half of those receiving services are employed, retired, or on disability. With the economic difficulties of the past two years, many neighbors who were scraping by are no longer able to make it on their own. “The day that you have to walk into a food pantry and ask for help is not a good day,” said Abbie Kauffman, Network’s President and CEO. “A big part of our mission is listening to our neighbors, treating them with the respect and dignity that they deserve, and working with them to improve their quality of life.”
Although Network is most closely associated with the Community Food Market and Clothing Closet, the organization also works to provide deeper and more personalized care. Network offers stabilization programming to help neighbors in need and to improve their situations—including budgeting, career readiness, job fairs, childcare assistance and a continuing education fund.
Stabilization coaches meet with neighbors and assess barriers to success. Whether neighbors need childcare, job skills training, GED classes, or a variety of other resources, stabilization coaches make the connections that change lives. “Our neighbors all have unique stories and this program allows us to sit with them, understand their situations, and connect them with resources to improve their quality of life,” said Kauffman.
Of the 26,000 individuals served by Network in 2022, a quarter were retired. Many retirees are on a fixed income and, while costs have risen over the past few years, their income has not. Network knows that this age group has unique needs and serves them through the Seniors’ Net program. In addition to access to basic needs assistance and stabilization services, neighbors over the age of sixty benefit from Seniors’ Net programming, including home deliveries for those who are homebound, companion calls to ensure their connection to the community, and access to seniorspecific items in the Community Food Market.
After moving to its new facility in 2021, Network began hosting Senior Day every Thursday. This program provides a chance for seniors to get connected with the community, make friends, and enjoy a hot meal! Each Senior Day features some sort of entertainment, whether it be a presentation on emergency preparedness, a local choir, or a troupe of tap dancers!
Network’s Mobile Market
Community Career Fair
Senior Day at Network
“For many of our attendees, this is the only chance they get during the week to socialize,” said Jane Kovacs, Seniors’ Net Coordinator. “We want to make sure that they know we are here to serve them as a vital part of our community.”
“The past few years have really shown the importance of organizations like Network,” said Kauffman. “When times are hard, it’s important to know that your community is there to support you. To me, Network is a symbol of how deeply our neighbors care about each other. As we look to the future, Network is excited to serve the community in even deeper, more rigorous ways.”
To learn more about Network, visit http://thenetwork.org or call 972-234-8880.
YOU CAN HELP TODAY!!!
Big Meals for Little Kids
Network’s Big Meals for Little Kids Program supplies school-aged children with healthy and convenient food options during the summer months when they are no longer receiving breakfast or lunch from their school’s free or reduced cost meal program.
You can support this critical program by donating school-age appropriate items like individually wrapped snacks, shelf-stable kid friendly meal items like Macaroni and Cheese or Chef Boyardee, or a monetary donation to support purchasing different items for our youth! Volunteer opportunities are available to assist with both the Summer Snack Pick-Up and Mobile Market that distribute these items to children throughout the summer at http://thenetwork.org/volunteer.
Big Meals for Little Kids recipient
Tools 4 School
Network’s Tools 4 School Program provides backpacks filled with supplies for school-aged children. Send or bring donations of your new school supplies to 1500 International Parkway in Richardson, Texas 75081. You can also make a donation online at http://thenetwork.org/donate to support Network’s sponsorship of the RISD Backpack Bash!
Tools 4 School volunteer
School Supplies
REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF THE YEAR, NETWORK IS ALWAYS IN NEED OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
Food:
- Hygiene products (Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
- Diapers
- Canned Meat and Fish
- Baking Items (Oil, sugar, flour, etc.)
- Single Serve Snack Items
Clothing:
- Toddler Clothes
- Baby Clothes
- New Socks
- New Underwear
- Kids’ Shoes
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