July 5, 2020 – The Dallas Morning News – Brooklynn Cooper
A fundraiser launched by The Dallas Morning News Charities campaign to aid organizations during the height of the coronavirus pandemic has received more than half a million dollars.
The campaign, which ran from March 20 to June 15, raised $505,142 in donations for 23 North Texas nonprofits that provide assistance for people who need shelter, food or other resources.
When the coronavirus hit the country in early March, homeless shelters and food pantries saw an increase in demand for their services. With an unprecedented number of Americans experiencing layoffs and food shortages, nonprofits struggled to adjust.
“These nonprofits are working overtime to help our fellow citizens who need help now more than ever,” said Grant Moise, president and publisher of The Dallas Morning News. “All of us at The News are so thankful for everything they do to help make DFW a better place to live.”
DMN Charities accepts contributions year-round and picks up all administrative costs, so 100% of the donations go directly to the 23 agencies. During the coronavirus campaign, 952 donors sent gifts.
“It’s during times of crisis when we find out just what kind of community we have,” said Leona Allen, board chair of DMN Charities. “Time and time again, our generous donors come through when their neighbors need help.”
Mission Oak Cliff operates a food pantry and food distribution and clothing assistance programs, as well as classes in English as a Second Language. Since the pandemic, the organization has suspended those lessons and limited the number of volunteers to enforce social distancing.
Executive Director Kevin Pranoto said the money from the campaign kept the organization’s hot lunch program running, sustained its stock of hygiene products and allowed the purchase of a new freezer to accommodate more food.
“We’ve also had to start renting a U-Haul because our trucks weren’t big enough to get the food from the Crossroads Community Services, so we’ve had more transportation costs,” Pranoto said.
“We’re grateful that we have extra funds to help subsidize that.”
Camille Grimes, executive director of DMN Charities, recognizes the need that nonprofits have right now.
“Though we are only halfway through 2020, it has already been a remarkable year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Grimes said. “Our charities are encountering extraordinary numbers of clients — increases of 50% to 75% more than the same time a year ago.”
Cornerstone Community Development is one of those charities. The organization provides meals, shower facilities and a medical clinic in South Dallas.
The Rev. Chris Simmons, Cornerstone’s executive director, said the clinic has seen an increase in patients because people are afraid they will contract the virus if they go to traditional clinics. Simmons said the donations from the campaign helped in several ways.
“Our clothing closet ran off of donations,” Simmons said. “We had to suspend that because we didn’t want people bringing in [potentially infected] stuff, so we had to start ordering all of our clothes in bulk. We could not have done that without the assistance from The Dallas Morning News Charities.”
Cornerstone used the money to buy food for the community kitchen, which had seen a decline in donations when food banks didn’t have any excess to spare.
“Once again, our donors rallied and displayed enormous compassion for others who are struggling during this difficult time,” Grimes said.
To donate to the campaign, visit dmncharities.com.
Benefiting charities:
Allen Community Outreach
Arlington Life Shelter
Austin Street Center
The Bridge
Brother Bill’s Helping Hands
Cedar Hill Shares
City House
Cornerstone Community Development Corp.
Crossroads Community Services
Dallas Life
Duncanville Outreach Ministry
Family Gateway
Frisco Family Services
Harmony Community Development Corp.
LifeLine Shelter for Families
Mission Oak Cliff
Network of Community Ministries
North Texas Food Bank
OurCalling
Our Daily Bread
Promise House
Sharing Life Community Outreach
The Stewpot
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