On our own doorstep, we are lucky to have some of the most impressive, organized and effective Community Non-Profits in North Texas.
We chose 10 of our favorites to share with you so you can see why we think so highly of them
Come with us as we share who they serve, what they do and how you can get involved.
This is a Sponsored Post
The Rotary Club of Plano West
They’ve been changing lives in Plano for 40 years. They find value in “Service Above Self” and creating a better world around us.
One of their initiatives is empowering younger generations.
They recognize that they are the leaders of tomorrow, and they want to help them be successful and achieve their dreams. This is why they are collecting donations that will go towards scholarships for high school seniors in Plano.
They need your help so that we may aid as many graduating seniors as we can. Donate today at https://bit.ly/planoscholarships
Bianca Weimer was a 2019 – 2020 Plano West Rotary Club Scholarship recipient and a strong advocate for giving back to the community.
She graduated from Plano Senior High School last year, and she is currently a student at The University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing.
“Because of the scholarship, I was able to allocate more of my time towards doing what I love (giving back to the community) instead of worrying about how I was going to afford the costs that come with college.
The Rotary Club has been a huge part in helping me grow as a leader, and I look forward to continuing to serve with them!”
Bianca Weimer, 2019-2020 Plano West Rotary Club Scholarship Recipient
My Possibilities
Created by Charmaine Solomon and her founding team, they’re a pioneering leader in vocational education and job placement for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout North Texas.
They provide adults (fondly named Hipsters), with Down Syndrome, Autism, and other cognitive disabilities the chance to continue their education. They’ve recently added a store, Soap Hope, to offer employment and development opportunities while fundraising for the non-profit.
Look out for their recently opened, purpose-built facility and buildings on Mapleshade Lane, next to North Texas Food Bank.
If you’re a Mom of a young adult who you’d identify with IDD, reach out to them to find out more about their organization, and consider a donation if you’d like to support their efforts.
Minnie’s Food Pantry
Minnie’s Food Pantry was named after Dr. Minnie Hawthorne-Ewing who was a community leader with a servant’s heart.
Minnie’s Food Pantry is one of the largest food pantries in North Texas and was named Community Partner of The Year by The City of Plano.
You may have heard Dr. Cheryl “Action” Jackson, talk fondly about her mother and how she inspired her to create and grow the pantry, and how Oprah herself is involved!
No mouth should ever go hungry, so if you’re in need of food, reach out to Minnie’s and they’ll feed you. If you can support, they welcome donations in money but also in time. There are always shifts to help in their warehouses and other projects to grow their impact and reach.
Lovepacs Plano
They serve Plano ISD families with children on the free and reduced lunch program, providing non-perishable foods during extended school breaks, like Thanksgiving, and winter and spring breaks.
The Non Profit packs and delivers boxes that feed a child breakfast, lunch and snacks for a week.
If you’re in need, reach out to find out if you meet their eligibility requirements. In the weeks before key vacation times from school, you can also pick up a list from them and shop for a pack, dropping items off at their location.
Financial donations are also welcome too.
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County
They provide hope to local children and families victimized by child abuse. They bring experts together under one roof to ensure safety and justice for children.
They offer Forensic Interviews, Family Advocacy, Comprehensive services and Justice. You’ll find Social Workers all around the building.
If you’re in need, reach out to them as soon as possible.
To support them, they accept gently used items, new items and financial donations, as well as volunteer shifts on various projects.
The Texas Pool
If you didn’t know you could swim in a Historic saltwater pool shaped like Texas, it’s right here in Plano.
Founded in 1961, the Texas Pool provides Summer Swimming as a nonprofit, membership supported, community swim club shaped like the great State of Texas. Membership is open to the general public.
You are not required to live in the neighborhood or even in Texas to join. The Texas Pool is maintained and managed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Go try it out! Events are hosted where you can try it out, but membership rates are very budget-friendly and you’ll be spending money to keep a local treasure thriving for many years to come.
The Heritage Farmstead Museum
Our very own local small-town museum in the City, a safe haven of farm life for kids and adults alike.
Mixed with rich history and storytelling opportunities of famous Plano characters, told through the replica rooms and set ups that you’ll find in the Farm Buildings and Homes located on the property.
Enjoy time with the farm animals and adventures in the Creek, they have great activities for educators, small groups and field trips for Preschools and Homeschools and holiday camps.
Visit! Donate and book activities.
Hope’s Door New Beginnings Center
Their Trauma-informed services are for those affected by domestic abuse, dating abuse and family violence–the survivors, the community and the offenders, specializing in intimate partner and family violence.
Their programs help families move forward to a happier, healthy life, including 90-day shelter programs, Individual and group intervention services for parents and children, case management, legal aid, financial and literacy programs, Battering and Intervention Prevention Programs.
They also offer transitional housing and a 24-hour hotline if you find yourself in need of help and need to get away from a destructive situation for yourself and your kids.
Focussing on early intervention, they also have educational outreach programs that partner with local school districts for pre-teen and teen education and awareness.
You can help by:
– Shopping at the Hope’s Door Resale Store
– Offering donations which are always welcome
– Be a Volunteer
City House
Gently situated in the midst of the City of Plano are an unassuming set of buildings, which are home to a group of children and young adults in need.
The team and volunteers at City House protect, empower and transform the lives of at-risk children, youth and young adults suffering from abuse, neglect or homelessness.
In addition to being an emergency shelter, they offer emotional and practical support with transitional living, rapid re-housing and counseling services, designed to get the youngest of a generation up on their feet.
Turning Point
They provide counseling, education and advocacy to those impacted by sexual violence in the Plano area.
They’re focussed on survivors of all forms of sexual violence and to set the standard for prevention education that promotes social change to end bullying, sexual harassment and sexual violence.
If you or someone you love is in need of their services, they offer a 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-886-7273).
They’re staffed with social workers and support staff to offer a variety of services to help those in the Community in need.
You can volunteer your time and/or financial donations and with awareness efforts.