Helena Ray
Durham Intermediate rising sixth-grader Cecily Ray operated a lemonade stand from July 7 to 9 at Bicentennial Park in Southlake and raised $510, all of which went directly to GRACE.
Cecily was inspired to start the fundraiser after discovering the shelves at GRACE’s food pantry were nearly empty when she and her mother, Helena, went to donate their own items.
“I felt bad because the people didn’t have what other people have food-wise,” Cecily says. “And I want people to be able to have food and be healthy.”
After researching how to set up the perfect lemonade stand, Cecily got to work filling jars with lemons, spray painting crates yellow, decorating her stand, drawing up signs and gathering supplies and snacks such as Rice Krispies, brownies, Welch’s Fruit Snacks, pretzels, as well as classic and pink lemonade.
Once Cecily obtained a city permit and got everything together, she and her mother spent a couple days in blistering temperatures at the Bicentennial Park entrance.
“It was very hot outside, but we thought it was the perfect day to get people at the park,” Cecily says. “But it felt like we were on the sun.”
Not only did Cecily have numerous in-person customers — she also received “virtual lemonade” contributions online through her stand’s Venmo QR code.
“I am very proud of her,” Helena says. “I also hope that maybe [the stand] raises some awareness that GRACE has a food pantry. I think a lot of people know that GRACE has its Gala and the donation station, but may not be aware there is also a food pantry at a different location.”
To learn how you can contribute to the food pantry, visit GraceGrapevine.org.