Our Great City

Roanoke Facility in Jeopardy

Community Storehouse, which aids children and their families living in the Keller or Northwest Independent School District, is itself in need of emergency assistance. A tough economy is affecting donors who pledged to pay rent for the Storehouse's Roanoke location, which it has occupied since 2005. "The Community Storehouse has enough funding to lease the 4,200 square foot building, at 212 N. Oak Street through August," said Barbara Board, Community Storehouse Executive Director.

The Roanoke facility is crucial because this is where clients meet with a counselor in order to receive assistance. Through this facility, Community Storehouse assisted over 3,100 children in 2007. There simply isn't enough room at the Keller-Hicks location to move the Roanoke operation back. The Roanoke location also features a lending library, public computer work station, resource center, and areas for children to come celebrate their birthdays. A cramped, aging facility at 4574 Keller-Hicks Road houses the Community Storehouse food pantry, resale shop, donation center, and administrative offices.

"We are very grateful to all of our donors for helping us get this far," Board said. "We need $4,500 per month or $27,000 to cover our current lease and all utilities for the building. I have already been working on donors to extend the lease from March 1, 2009, to September 1, 2010. We are hopeful we can have our own building secured by then."

The Storehouse has seen its client base increase by 30 percent in the past two months. A key service during the summer is providing breakfast and lunch for children who qualify for free and reduced meals during the school year. High electricity bills and gasoline prices have further strained Community Storehouse funding this summer.

The organization is accepting donations to help with rent for its Roanoke location. Another way to contribute is to participate in the 9th Annual Run in the Dark 5K and 1-mile fun run, set for September 20th at Keller Town Hall. Community Storehouse is seeking sponsorships and participants for this annual fundraiser.

More information on Community Storehouse is available at www.communitystorehouse.org or by calling 817-431-3340. 

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If you would like more information about Community Storehouse please contact Barbara Board, Executive Director (ccsedo@communitystorehouse.org) or Jennifer King, Development Coordinator (cfundraiser@yahoo.com) at 817-431-3340.