by Rick Mauch
Photos by Brooke Mathis: Beautiful Evolutions Photography
“We desire to be a place where everyone is welcome.”
Whether it’s a little help getting by or stuck without a home – and all points in between – a lot of folks in today’s world could use a lot of love and a lot of help. And they can find both at Harvest House in Burleson. “Harvest House is adapting and changing to the climate, whether inflation, hurricanes, pandemics, we strive to provide services to our community to help strengthen us all,” said Harvest House Executive Director Jennifer Woods. “We desire to be a place where everyone is welcome.”
Harvest House is a refuge and resource for many in the community who just need a little extra help. From homeless to senior citizens, individuals and families in crisis to people who need longer assistance to get back on their feet, Harvest House is there.
MISSION/VISION/VALUES
On its website, Harvest House lists its mission as providing basic necessities, spiritual encouragement, education, and care to individuals and families in the community by following Biblical principles. Their vision is to help families break the cycle of hopelessness by providing resources that assist in restoring their dignity and independence.
Harvest House implements its mission and vision by sharing the love of Christ through service and spreading the gospel. They pride themselves for functioning as a team player with other organizations in the community who seek to help those in need of nutritional, financial, or spiritual restoration.
For example, Harvest House:
Helps provide food to two senior living facilities in Burleson, where independent seniors just need a little help getting by. Works to prevent homelessness by helping pay bills (rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.). Works with strong partners, such as United Cooperative Services, United Way, and more. “We work together to support one another’s projects, programs, and clients, because we are serving the same people — our neighbors,” Woods said. “Through these collaborations, I believe we are making a significant difference and can make a greater difference in the future.
“Without our help, a lot of families would be living in a car, in their friend’s house, or on the street. This has been a hard year for us because need has increased, and giving is down.” Woods noted that Harvest House is currently helping over 50 homeless people in the community.
“They don’t always look homeless. They are couch hopping and living in cars,” she said.
Harvest House’s 2022 annual report noted these program service accomplishments:
- 440,482 lbs. of food donated
- 12,173 total visits
- 3,199 clothing visits
- $157,626 financial aid provided
- 2,404 families served
- 338 school supplies provided
SERVICES INCLUDE
Harvest House helps folks throughout Johnson and Tarrant Counties. Their assistance includes:
Client services such as groceries, clothing vouchers, and financial assistance. Services are by appointment only, except to receive food, and financial service is generally limited to once a year. Decisions are based on the greatest need and availability of funds, so they cannot guarantee that every applicant will receive financial assistance. Appointment hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at their offices at 349 NW Renfro in Burleson.
Harvest House Pantry, which allows clients to obtain food and other necessities once a month. During summer months, clients with school-age children are allowed to pick up food twice a month. To an extent, clients are allowed to make their own choices from the store, which emulates a retail grocery. Visitors must show ID. Stores hours at the Renfro location are Tuesday, 9 a.m.-noon and 2-6 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, drive-through only. Local deliveries are also available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or by clicking the link on the website for Amazon Prime delivery. Pantry donation hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and after-hours donations may be made at the resale store at 101 NW Wilshire.
Harvest House Resale Store (former Kip’s Hallmark) is a shop that serves clients and is also open to the general public. Clients receive vouchers based on need to purchase clothing items. All inventory is available for sale to the general public. Proceeds from the Resale Store benefit the ministries of Harvest House. Store hours are Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., along with Wednesday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Due to a city ordinance, donations can only be taken during business hours. The last donations each day are accepted 30 minutes before the store closes. After-hours donations are considered dumping per city and state law. Donations of clothing, household items, small kitchen appliances, toys, small electronics, and accent pieces are accepted. If you would like to donate large furniture items (sofas, bed frames, chests of drawers, wardrobes, entertainment centers, etc.), please email pictures to resale@yourharvesthouse.org to receive store manager approval. Mattresses and bed springs cannot be accepted.
Free classes for English second language, financial literacy (for anyone in the community), and nutrition. Woods said the plan is to expand these classes as volunteer instructors on different subjects are available.
Assistance with government aid, medical and dental, general resources and even educational videos.
HOW IT STARTED/GROWTH
In 1984 a group of church leaders came together to create a benevolence ministry they all would support. The organization became an independent nonprofit in 2012.
Woods said the pantry sees anywhere from 50-100 people per day. “This is more than we have seen in my time at Harvest House, the past seven years,” she said, noting that through September, they have served nearly 7,200 un-duplicated families that they serve annually. “We provide extra food in the summer for families with school-aged children; we provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals during the holidays. In October alone, we provided 38,194 pounds of pantry food and 39,940 pounds of meat. That number will be higher in November and December with the holiday meals.” Woods noted Harvest House helped 800 families in October. John Long joined the organization in May of 2022 as the general manager. Like many others, he felt a calling to help others through Harvest House.
“Working for a non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential support like food assistance and homelessness prevention in our community is profoundly rewarding,” Long said. “It allows us to directly impact the lives of individuals and families who are often facing their most challenging times.”
At the time he joined Harvest House, Long was working for a large retailer as a project manager remodeling old stores and opening new locations across the nation. Prior to that, he had over a decade in retail operations at the corporate level.
Woods, knowing his experience, reached out and asked if Long would help them expand their 500-700 square feet of retail space to 10,000 square feet. However, Long initially said no to the offer.
“But after a few weeks, the Lord wouldn’t take Harvest House off of my mind,” he said. “So I called Jennifer and asked if they were still looking, and they were finalizing candidates. I entered the mix and have loved every minute of it.”
BIGGEST NEEDS/CHALLENGES
“Honestly, we need it all. If one lapses, it affects the others,” Woods said. “Clothing supports the whole organization, so if there are fewer sales, there may be less money for food and financial assistance.”
Woods said the biggest challenge most folks say they are facing is simply making ends meet. “Underemployment is a big deal right now. With inflation, many can’t adapt to the increasing costs fast enough,” she said.
HEARTWARMING HELP
Long recalled a local family in the past year who lost everything they owned in a house fire. It came to his attention through a local Facebook page, and he reached out to the family, opening the store to them after hours to help with the rebuilding process.
“They lost everything, but the same day they were able to get clothes for their entire family. Then, once they found a new place to live, they came back for many of their other home essentials from dishes and microwaves to a washer and dryer, and a TV with a Wii for their kids. All for free,” he said.
“While the resale store helps keep the pantry full and supports financial efforts to help families in financial need, we give away on average over $10,000 per month to families with needs beyond the financial, allowing their money to go towards supporting their families.”
HOLIDAY JOY
In the resale store, Long said a tree will be decorated in a steady fashion throughout the holidays. “For every gift card donated that would allow an older child to go and pick out a Christmas present, we will add an ornament to our tree,” he said. “It will start empty, and with enough gift cards, we will have a happy tree by Christmas.”
Long added that several $1 sales will take place at the store through the holidays for people to get clothes for $1 to help folks have a happy holiday.
FUNDING
Funding for Harvest House is diverse, and they continue to diversify, Woods said. In 2022, for example, donations provided 67 percent of their funding, with another 24 percent from the resale store. The rest came from fundraising and grants. “We do have a part-time grant writer who helps to reach out to new funding sources,” she said. “Our community businesses and individuals are extremely important to helping. Also, we have a lot of partner churches.” Long stated, “Harvest House is a valuable resource to our community. If anyone can support, they should support.”
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR HELP
Families who have a need some and visit with an intake specialist. Anyone can come for food. Those needing financial assistance generally need to meet the guidelines of the federal poverty level.
If they need financial assistance, they need to set an appointment and fill out an application.
“We try to help based on funds and greatest needs. It is a very hard decision for our committee to decide because sometimes there are so many who really need help,” Woods said. And, sadly, while not everyone can be helped, Woods stressed that they would love to and they help as many as possible.
VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME
Whether it’s a little time or a lot, volunteers are needed and always welcome at Harvest House, Woods stressed. “We need volunteers who have a great eye for shopping and style to help in the resale store processing area. We also need helping the pantry, shoppers, and stockers,” she said.
Long said knowing that the efforts of those connected to Harvest House can alleviate hunger and shelter instability, offering hope and a helping hand to those in need, brings an immense sense of fulfillment and purpose. “Every meal provided, every family kept off the streets, and every life positively affected reinforces the belief that together, we can make a tangible difference, forging stronger, more compassionate communities where everyone has the chance to thrive,” he said.
To find out more about volunteering, donating, or if you are in need, visit Harvest House Website and click on the appropriate link.
Harvest House
349 NW Renfro St.
Burleson, Texas 76028
www.yourharvesthouse.org