Volunteers Fuel Service at Community Lifeline Center

The partner food pantry in McKinney serves 700 neighbors each week and has grown thanks to a North Texas Food Bank grant.

Sean and Sloane first arrived at Community Lifeline Center McKinney more than two years ago looking for assistance.

The couple had always had enough to cover their expenses, but that month, they were a little short.

“We were looking for a place to help us with our water bill,” Sean says. “I know it sounds minute, but at that time, we were both working full-time and it was still a struggle for us.”

An online search led them to Community Lifeline where they received the help they needed. Now business owners, Sean and Sloane did not require ongoing assistance but say their eyes were opened during their visit to how many people, like them, sometimes need a little help. Once they got back on their feet, they wanted to be a part of providing that support. The couple now volunteer regularly at Community Lifeline Center McKinney’s pantry, even picking up retail donations for the pantry to ensure they always have fresh food as soon as it’s available. They assisted recently with a holiday distribution, directing traffic so neighbors could receive a turkey.

“It’s a real huge blessing for us to be able to do this,” he says. “The need is out there, but we just – it’s lost to translation when you’re going to work every day and you’re doing your family stuff and your typical day-to-day life. You don’t realize how many people out there are struggling.”

The need is as high as it’s ever been, says Robin Forsythe, Executive Director of the nonprofit.

“We’re serving 700 a week, but it’s more than that because that doesn’t include all of the family members at home,” she says.

In Collin County, where the pantry is located. Feeding America estimates that nearly 131,000 neighbors face hunger, which translates to a food insecurity rate of 12.4% and nearly 15% for children.

Thanks to an NTFB Capacity Building Grant, Robin says they were able to expand their pantry and add shelves, freezers and refrigeration, which has all allowed them to serve more neighbors while still allowing people to “shop” their pantry just like they would a grocery store.

Director of Programs Amy Wyatt says the refrigeration has been especially helpful as they’ve added retail partners, including Sprouts, that donate salad kits and other fresh items for neighbors. She and Robin are part of a staff of just five and say they rely heavily on volunteers, like Sean and Sloane, to continue serving the community.

Ryan, a neighbor who visits the pantry regularly and attended the holiday distribution, says he’s also grateful for people like Sean and Sloane. He and his partner are living in a hotel while trying to find affordable housing and he says the assistance of groceries from Community Lifeline and its friendly volunteers makes all the difference as they’re trying to stretch their pay.

“This actually means a lot because it means that people are looking out for you, and they want to do good and spread kindness,” he says. “More people seem to be going out of their way to help people and basically do whatever they can to see if people are ok.”