GraceWorks extends structure of drive-through food distribution
GraceWorks is extending its modified structure of a drive-through food distribution and over-the-phone rent and utility assistance services until April 30.
Basing operations decisions on local, state, federal and CDC recommendations, GraceWorks also will continue the closure of its Thrift Store, a large funder of the ministry’s services.
With the onset of the coronavirus, GraceWorks modified its normal 15+ service structure March 19 to offer only food and rent and utility help in a system designed to ensure safety for families needing help and safety for GraceWorks staff.
Drive-through food distribution and rent and utility assistance are available from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday and from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Rent and utility requests are taken over the phone by calling the main number, (615) 794-9055.
People needing food drive up to the building, where shopping carts full of fresh and nonperishable foods are put in their car trunks. No one leaves the car.
The nonprofit has seen dramatic increases in demand since modifying services March 19. Since then, GraceWorks has fulfilled double the requests for food and 35% more requests for rent assistance than the nonprofit normally sees. In its last fiscal year, GraceWorks helped 10,333 people through all its services.
Increases included a record-breaking mobile food panty in Fairview March 28 that provided food to 292 families, and two record-breaking days of drive-through food distribution of more than 80 families each.
GraceWorks budget is becoming strained not only by the increase in demand but also by the closing of the GraceWorks Thrift Store, which normally provides $20,000 a week, or about 40%, of the ministry’s income for programming.
To help GraceWorks fight the effects of this pandemic and stabilize our neighbors through this crisis, donations may be made through the GraceWorks website, www.graceworksministries.net/donate. A list of ways to help can be found at https://www.graceworksministries.net/five-ways-you-can-help-graceworks/.
While Thrift Store gift cards may also be purchased on the website to use later, GraceWorks is not accepting donations to the store at this time. Food, diapers and personal hygiene items may be donated by contacting Director of Development Alicia Bell at abell@graceworksministries.net.