Today we’d like to introduce you to Krissy Sarine-Van Brunt.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Did you know a routine grocery run can change your life?
On a scorching Texas day—so hot you could bake cookies on the dashboard—my daughter and I headed out for last-minute back-to-school lunch items. At a red light near the store, we noticed a homeless woman in the parking lot, clearly at the end of her rope. There were tears, yelling, and yes… a flip-flop casualty. We were moved to act.
We stopped at the Dollar Store and picked up snacks, water, and a new pair of flip-flops. When we returned, she was gone—vanished.
Homelessness has always been a tender place for me, and my daughter has grown up serving alongside me. Without hesitation, she said, “Mom, we have to find someone else to give this to.” So we did.
Under a nearby bridge, we spotted a woman and a man. At the red light, the woman approached my window.
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
Her name was Terri, and the man beside her was Jeremiah.
I handed them the food, water, and flip-flops—ones Terri desperately needed. Gratitude filled her eyes. Before driving off, I asked one more question:
“If I could grant you one wish today, what would it be?”
“I wish for a cooler,” she said instantly.
They tried to keep donated food in a bucket, she explained, but it spoiled in the heat.
Of course it did.
We drove straight to Home Depot, bought a cooler, and delivered it. Terri was elated.
“It has wheels!” she said, smiling.
I drove home heavy-hearted. Food in a bucket. A cooler as a wish. That night, I scribbled a plan on a giant Post-it: lunch in coolers for 25 people—peanut butter, jelly, water, granola bars, individual coolers. I stared at that Post-it for three days before turning to Facebook.
Within minutes, friends stepped up. Supplies were promised. Venmo notifications started buzzing. In two days, $800 was donated.
Just Because was born.
One week later, volunteers filled my small home with laughter and love. Together, we packed 45 coolers and 30 blessing bags, loaded three cars, and hit the streets of Dallas. Within an hour, everything was delivered. We saw faces soften, hearts open—and our own hearts changed in return.
We shared resources with an under-resourced community and love with the under-loved.
Just because.
This year, in August, we’ll celebrate our 8th year of bringing joy to seniors who feel forgotten, brightening spaces for adults with special needs, helping the unhoused feel seen again and supporting students attending Title I schools with hygiene items so they get to school and learn.
Wishes don’t come true without granters.
Thank you for being one—and for extending kindness, just because. 💛
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road—and honestly, that’s been part of the proof that it’s worth doing.
There have been challenges along the way: limited resources, moments of exhaustion, learning as we go, and times when the need felt bigger than what we could give. Balancing full lives with this work, asking for help, and trusting that others would show up was uncomfortable at first. Not every plan worked perfectly, and not every day felt easy.
But anything meaningful comes with challenges. The hard moments were never a reason to quit—they were a reminder of why we started. Each obstacle pushed us to adapt, grow, and lean into community. The work matters, and when something is worth something, it’s worth working through the tough parts to keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While Just Because, Inc. brings me incredible joy and purpose, it isn’t my full-time job. I work full time in aviation and pour into Just Because in the margins—during evenings, weekends, and any spare moments in between.
We are run 100% by volunteers, which is both our greatest strength and what makes us truly unique. Every act of service, every delivery, and every wish granted happens because people choose to give their time and hearts simply because they want to help. That volunteer spirit is the heartbeat of Just Because, Inc., and it’s what allows us to keep showing up, even when balancing full lives alongside this work.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking with other 501(c)(3) organizations across DFW has been incredibly beneficial. Those connections have not only expanded our reach, but have also created meaningful opportunities to partner on service projects—allowing us to serve more people, more thoughtfully, and together.
The best advice I can share is this: ask for what you need from the path pavers who came before you. Their experience, wisdom, and willingness to guide you can remind you that you don’t have to build something meaningful alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Just-Because.org
- Instagram: @youmatterjustbecause
- Facebook: @youmatterjustbecause
