Along with restaurants, gyms and local businesses, nonprofits have felt the pandemic’s effects. In the spring, nonprofits transitioned to remote working, virtual events and drive-thru services for their clients. Now, with the pandemic continuing into the holiday season, these organizations are overcoming new challenges to still make a difference.
Pre-Pandemic Plans
Before the pandemic, most nonprofits already had a plan for their December events. Metroport Meals On Wheels’ holiday programs included a stocking tree and a holiday meal for folks in senior centers.
“Everything is modified now,” MMOW executive director Mary King says. “Normally, by mid-October, we have the stocking tree set up...so that people can adopt stockings. So from mid-October until the first of December, we’ll have about 750 stockings adopted.”
GRACE Grapevine was also preparing to serve around 800 families this year, but the organization is now preparing to serve at least 50% more families, GRACE’s Chief Program Officer Stacy Pacholick says.
“Many nonprofits who normally have holiday programs similar to ours have either canceled those services this year due to their own circumstances or have restricted services to the point that, we believe for many families, GRACE will be the only opportunity for them to get assistance with Christmas presents for their children,” Stacy says. “Therefore, we are planning to serve more families.”
COVID-19 Modifications
Christmas Is For Children has canceled its second Southlake Holiday Homes Tour and is downsizing its Angel Program.
“We are still going to have that traditional program available,” Christmas Is For Children's Abby Waterstreet says. “But we’re [downsizing] just because the program requires a lot of volunteer touchpoints, and getting that together is a little bit trickier this year without risking exposure.”
Christmas Is For Children estimates it will serve more than 600 kids through its Angel Program and provide more than 250 kids with a selection of bulk toys. Metroport Meals On Wheels is mirroring Christmas Is For Children’s approach when it comes to its gift program.
“We’re still trying to do personalized gifts, but we’re going to set up online gift registries with a couple of major distributors,” Mary says. “We will have items that the seniors have been able to select, but we’re not going to be able to get into any clothing or item that requires sizing because it’s just too complex right now.”
With GRACE’s Christmas Cottage, safety is the name of the game. GRACE will be limiting the number of volunteers in the cottage, require masks and temperature checks and only two families will be scheduled every 15 minutes to promote social distancing.
“Parents will be able to select toys for each of their children, games, a family gift, wrapping paper, books, tape, batteries, etc.,” Stacy says. “We truly believe in the philosophy of this self-selection process and that part of the program will look no different than in years past.”
Hope Amid Chaos
These nonprofits are continuing to support the community thanks to area volunteers and donors.
“So much of our ability to give depends on the generosity of the community,” Abby says. To support these nonprofits, you can visit their websites at ChristmasIsForChildren.org, MetroportMOW.org and GRACEGrapevine.org.