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This year, TASFAA is partnering with Metro Ministries, a community outreach, and will hold a raffle at the conference to benefit this worthy organization. This ministry has five programs to assist in their mission to Coastal Bend families – Loaves & Fishes, Gabbard Medical, Rainbow House, Vineyard Social and Rustic House. See below for additional information.

TASFAA has three ways you can participate in donating this year:

  • Direct Donation

If you would like to donate directly to this year’s community service project, listed below are some suggested items or services needed the most by Metro Ministries.

  • Funds for operating expenses
  • Volunteers – Nurses and Doctors
  • Pickup Truck – Long Bed
  • New AC units for Rustic House and Gabbard Clinic
  • Client Needs:
    • Detergent (HE)
    • White socks
    • Men’s and women’s underwear
    • Feminine hygiene products         
    • Sweatbands, caps
    • H-E-B and/or Wal-Mart Gift Cards
    • Hygiene items such as travel shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste, toothbrush, razors, etc.

(A container for your donations will be available at the TASFAA Registration Desk when you check-in for the conference.) 

  • Raffle

Another method TASFAA uses to raise funds for our charitable outreach each year is through our raffle. In the past, our members, and/or their institutions, have donated a variety of items from homemade crafts to school swag, jewelry, handbags, spa gift baskets to gift cards, and more!

You may purchase raffle tickets at the conference and enter to win a donated raffle item. Tickets will be available for purchase at the TASFAA Registration Desk during the conference and winners will be announced at the Thursday evening event. Each attendee who brings a raffle item will receive one (TBD) sticker.

  • Denim Days

Have you ever wished you could dress casually throughout the conference? Again this year, we will offer the opportunity for you to enjoy Denim Days and support a great cause!

For a cash (or credit card) donation you can purchase a (TBD) sticker indicating that you are wearing denim in support of Metro Ministries. These stickers will be available at the conference for $2 a day (one sticker) or $5 for all three days of the conference (three stickers). 

A check will be presented to a representative of Metro Ministries on Friday morning.

 Contact Zarita Barton at [email protected] if you have donations for the raffle or if you have additional questions.

 Thank you in advance for your generosity and support of this local community outreach ministry.

 

 

 

“Metro Ministries transforms the lives of thousands of individuals and families in the Coastal Bend by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and building futures.”

Loaves & Fishes is a free cafeteria that serves nutritious dine-in meals for the homeless, poor, working poor, disabled, and elderly. This program provides lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. For residents of Rustic House and Rainbow House, Loaves & Fishes provides all their meals and bag lunches for those who have obtained gainful employment. The facility seats over 100 clients and offers ADA- compliant restrooms and seating. In a normal fiscal year, the program regularly serves over 8,300 meals per month.

The Dr. James Gabbard Memorial Health Clinic is a free primary care medical clinic staffed by generous volunteer doctors and nurses from the community. The clinic provides medical exams and vision exams. In addition to performing these exams, the clinic provides help with medications and other services to help as many clients as possible. The clinic also focuses on referring clients to more permanent medical homes and enrolling them in public assistance programs.

Rainbow House provides transitional housing for homeless women and homeless women with children and aged out foster youth. The transitional program provides a structured, case-managed environment for these women and families to work toward greater self-sufficiency and independent living. When they are ready to graduate our program, case managers assist with housing searches and follow-up with them for a minimum of six months to assure that they can sustain independent living.

Rustic House provides a transitional housing program for homeless men. The transitional housing program provides a structured, case-managed environment for these men to work toward greater self- sufficiency and independent living. When they are ready for independent living case managers assist with housing searches, and follow-up with them for a minimum of six months to assure that they can sustain independent living.

Vineyard Social Services is the screening and intake center for all social services provided by the agency.

Services provided include: distribution of hygiene products, clothing referrals, information and referral to mental health agencies, workforce and education, work clothes, winter jackets and blankets, and case management services. In a normal fiscal year, Vineyard Social Services has over 6,500 service contacts. It also manages the volunteer opportunities, which are available for individuals and groups.