Helping Hands of Rockwall County is a Lifeline for the Community

The NTFB partner moved to a new facility earlier this year that includes an updated pantry, a health clinic and a thrift store that supports operations.

Without the support of Helping Hands of Rockwall County, Jason isn’t sure where he’d be.

After moving to Rockwall for a fresh start, Jason suffered a stroke about a year-and-a-half ago. The team at Baylor Scott & White Health helped him through the emergency but alerted him that he would need ongoing care to monitor and support his recovery. Without insurance, they referred him to Helping Hands of Rockwall County, where he has not only continued receiving medical care but also has been able to shop for groceries each month to feed his family.

“I’m doing good now, but it was scary,” Jason says. He and his wife have a 10-year-old son and his wife’s mother also lives with them. Jason is self-employed and has continued to work as he’s able but says his health means that he doesn’t always make enough to cover their basic expenses. “I appreciate the milk and eggs and everything I can get here,” he says. “I’m thankful!”

Helping Hands’ President & CEO Jon Bailey says their mission is to support neighbors like Jason by ensuring that no one in Rockwall County goes to bed hungry, without a roof over their head or deprived of much-needed medical care. The organization started as a clothing distribution out of the trunk of a pastor’s car in 1977 and has grown to a multi-facility campus with 48 employees and multiple services to support the community.

“That’s what makes us unique,” Jon says. “We have the opportunity to really help clients—it’s not just keeping your lights on or having a food pantry. It’s several things.”

Earlier this year, the organization moved to a new campus that includes a neighbor choice pantry where the community can shop. It also has a larger medical clinic with double the number of exam rooms and a thrift store that supports as much as 45% of their annual operating budget. With the support of an NTFB grant during Fiscal Year 2025, they are continuing to update their pantry and storage areas to better serve neighbors. That includes added refrigeration, storage and warehouse equipment.

 Taylor, a special education teacher in Rockwall ISD who visits the pantry, says he loves the chance to shop for groceries he knows his four children will eat in the new pantry. His wife also works for the school district but he says with four kids and the higher costs of living, they need support to make ends meet.

“Really, this is the difference between us eating or not,” he says.

He looks for produce, milk and other staples when at the pantry, and adds that his kids love when the pantry has Chick-fil-A sandwiches, which is a luxury he and his wife simply can’t afford. Those sandwiches and several other items are given to Helping Hands of Rockwall County through retail partnerships.

Jon says as Rockwall County has grown, so too has the need among neighbors.

“We’re excited about our partnership with North Texas Food Bank and the opportunity to further what we’re doing to meet the communities needs,” he says.