Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Martin.
Bill, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My husband and I have been married for three years and just celebrated our 39th. Anniversary. Being semi-retired, I had some extra time available. I started volunteering for Dallas Hope Charities a little over two years ago. I had never volunteered before and this was something that was of interest to me.
Every Monday we serve lunch to close to 150 homeless and those in need and give them a bag of groceries and toiletries. I was just going to volunteer once a month. Once a month turned into every Monday plus on the last Sunday helping to stock our food pantry.
While still being a volunteer, I became Administrative Assistant to Jason Vallejo the Executive Director of Dallas Hope Charities. Earlier this year I became Executive Assistant helping even more with the growth of Dallas Hope Charities. I love what I do and love seeing the progress and growth of Dallas Hope Charities.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road is an interesting concept. There is always challenges when helping those in need. In 2018 we served over 36,000 meals to those in need and gave out over 5,600 bags of groceries and toiletries. We depend on not only monetary donations but donations of food and toiletries. So at times, it is a struggle getting donations from individuals, corporations, hotels, restaurants, etc.
Please tell us about Dallas Hope Charities.
Dallas Hope Charities is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. We offer three feeding programs. Our “iCare” lunch every Monday, “BACH” breakfast every Saturday and “Taste of Hope” preparing over 200 meals twice a month and taking them out to the streets of Dallas to the homeless.
Last year we opened an LGBTQ+ focused young adult shelter. We will be adding four more beds in July making a total of six beds. Every Thanksgiving we donate over 450 Thanksgiving baskets providing a Thanksgiving dinner to those that might do without. Dallas Hope Charities also has an AID’S Financial Assistance Fund that allows us to assist those living with HIV/AIDS with medical, rental, and utility assistance.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5910 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, TX. 75235 - Website: www.dallashopecharities.org
- Phone: 214-351-3834
- Email: bmartin@dallashopecharities.org
- Instagram: @dallashopecharities
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasHopeCharities
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharitesDallas
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