Non-profit provides opportunity for parents to ‘shop’ for their children and opportunity for senior citizens to feel remembered; store is a product of generosity of North Texas, and helps most vulnerable know we all care.
Metrocrest Services is opening a unique holiday store – and it has a lot less to do with buying things than it does with giving. Through this unique holiday experience, North Texans play the role of Santa to those in need – and that’s more people than ever, as Metrocrest Services has experienced a 31% increase in the volume of clients it serves over the past 16 months.
Metrocrest Services has opened the holiday store through December 18 to invited clientele – people who might have feared the season’s spirit had passed them by. In a year where many are hard-hit by rising rent and utility costs, as well as high food and medication prices, the holiday season can feel anything but bright when every day is a struggle. Stepping inside the Metrocrest Services Holiday Store, a brightly decorated wonderland of toys, clothing, household items and other donated gifts, it’s easy to think you might have been transported to the North Pole.
In the holiday store, parents and seniors can find many great gifts for their family members in need while having the dignity to shop for and select those gifts just like anyone else. The difference in this store? No money is exchanged for those gifts – just smiles and hugs. Parents can choose items ranging from warm coats and winter accessories, including gloves and hats, to toys, bikes, books and more for their kiddos.
Clients can look around and shop, often with the help of a volunteer, with no money exchanged. This special initiative will serve more than 2,500 children and seniors this year with new gifts generously provided by donations to Metrocrest Services. There is an ongoing need for toys and other items to stock the store, and the community is invited to be involved in helping to stock it. Metrocrest Services maintains a wishlist of items to help ensure the store stays stocked.
"Metrocrest Services was a huge relief around the holidays,” said Claudia, a local mother and client of Metrocrest Services who felt immense gratitude and relief by receiving assistance during the holiday season. “I had a sudden loss of income and they helped all my four of my children with gifts."
"I visited the Metrocrest Services holiday store because this year is a little bit harder for me to be able to afford Christmas gifts for my kids. So I'm grateful to be able to come in and use this opportunity to get some help,” said Riley, a client of Metrocrest Services who also visited the store last year.
"This has been the best Christmas I've had in a long time,” said a local senior citizen who received a personalized senior gift basket through Metrocrest Services.
Seniors and Teens Often Forgotten
Among the hardest hit this year are North Texas senior citizens, who struggle to meet skyrocketing cost of living increases when on fixed incomes.
“I was retired but with the economy the way it was, I found that I had to go back to work,” said Patrice, a client of Metrocrest Services who reached out to the agency for assistance. “I had more bills than money, and I needed help because I’d been out of work for so long. The door was closed everywhere I went.”
Metrocrest Services staff helped Patrice understand how her talents could be applied and assisted her with her resume and job coaching, and now she’s back on the path to self-sufficiency. But for far too many seniors, they have to make difficult choices between things like medication or food. During the holiday season, this hits particularly hard, especially if they have no one else to help them or even to celebrate the season with them. Through Metrocrest Services’ seniors program, community members are creating special gift baskets full of essential food, household items and gifts for Metrocrest-area seniors in need.
Teenagers are another group often forgotten during the holidays, with many people choosing to buy or donate items for younger children.
“It’s sad to see a teenager who feels completely left out of holiday joy,” said Hayden Austin, director of development with Metrocrest Services. “The holiday season can be a very lonely time, and for teenagers who may already feel marginalized due to their family’s daily struggles, this season can feel very alienating. We do all we can to support children of all ages in the families we’re honored to help, and we appreciate when people can help us make these kids’ holiday seasons bright.”
North Texans’ Help Needed
Through its wrap-around services, Metrocrest Services is well-positioned to help area residents in need – but this year, more than ever, the non-profit needs the help of the community.
How to help? Go to https://metrocrestservices.org/donate/ to learn about how easy it is to give, or purchase items from the non-profit’s Amazon Wish List to help Metrocrest Services with our community's needs. There are particular needs for gifts for children 11 to 18 years old, and for seniors.
Will it be a happy holiday season for all? North Texans, your help is needed!
Metrocrest Services, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs for individuals, families and seniors that lead to self-sufficiency and foster independence. Programs include rent and utility bill assistance, financial and budgeting assistance, food pantry, employment coaching and transportation, minor home repairs and home-delivered meals to benefit seniors. Additionally, Metrocrest provides programs focused on children including holiday gifts and summer food. For more information, visit www.metrocrestservices.org.