The Love Basket, Dublin’s twice a month food bank, needs help to move to a new home and can use assistance to make that happen.
Since October 2007, the food bank has operated out of the Qwik-Lok storage unit office at 207 E. Elm. It is stocked thanks in part to the Tarrant Area Food Bank arrangements and the Erath County United Way which funds day-to-day operations.
Love Basket is open the first and third Friday of every month 8-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. The Sissoms reported serving between 120 and 130 families per week recently.
“[Qwik-Lok Owner] Pam Crabtree has been wonderful,” said Love Basket founding volunteers Ray and Barbara Sissom. Crabtree was also instrumental in founding the food pantry and has provided the space rentfree, allowing the Sissoms to remodel and re-arrange the space as needed.
An opportunity recently came up for Crabtree to sell the business.
“She’s an integral part of the Love Basket,” the Sissoms said, adding they understood she had to take the opportunity of a good time to sell. Although the new owner is not going to keep the same arrangement, Crabtree spoke with them and they agreed to let the food pantry operate there while a new building is secured.
Enter Dublin Family Worship pastor Anthony Martinez and wife Cindy who have been volunteering with the food pantry. They went to the church’s board who agreed to provide the space behind the church for them to build a new home which is being designed by Love Basket board vice president Charlie Bradberry.
“At Dublin Family Worship, we believe that being the church means being willing to step outside our walls and serve people right where they are,” said pastor Anthony. “Partnering with Love Basket is more than simply helping provide food—it is an opportunity to share hope, dignity, compassion, and the love of Christ with our neighbors. We know that sometimes a box of food represents much more than a meal. It can mean a mother has one less burden to carry, or a family facing a difficult season knows that their community cares about them. We are blessed to be able to serve alongside Love Basket and to be a small part of meeting needs in our community.”
He added: “Jesus calls us to love our neighbors, and we believe that love is best demonstrated when we put our faith into action. Our prayer is that every person who receives help through Love Basket feels not only cared for, but reminded that they are seen, valued, and loved.”
“God’s been really good in this whole process,” said Barbara Sissom. “We’ve been thinking about this for years; what would happen when and if these buildings went into other hands.”
They’re relieved to report the right people seem to have come into their lives at the right time.
“Lately God’s been opening doors right and left for us,” Barbara said. “We’ve got a bunch of volunteers we’ve never had before.”
Now they need a little help from the community they serve in opening the door on their new home.
They’ve had a $5,000 donation to get started on the right foot and have some funds to add but they’ll need help to continue helping their neighbors.
Donations can be sent to 3705 N. FM 219, Dublin, TX 76446 or call (254) 4854393 for more information.
Volunteers will also be needed to help the Love Basket move once the new building is done. A move day will be announced in advance whenever they are ready.