Network of Community Ministries reports rising demand: 29,673 individuals served, large increases in food distribution and continued emphasis on housing help

Abby Kaufman, president and CEO of Network of Community Ministries, told the Richardson City Council on March 25 that the nonprofit served 29,673 individuals (about 5,100 households) last fiscal year and reported sharp growth in food distribution, volunteer hours and some program areas even as rental-assistance funding has tightened.

Kaufman framed the organization's work around a mission of "caring, coaching and empowering," and opened the briefing with a client story about a neighbor who used Network services to re-train for employment. "Network has everything that could stabilize you back to your normal life without the struggles," a client quoted in Kaufman's presentation said.

Key metrics and trends: Kaufman reported a 6.5% decrease in households served year-over-year but a 14.5% increase in the total number of services delivered, reflecting deeper engagement for many households. She said the organization distributed "over 3,600,000 pounds of food" last fiscal year (a nearly 50% increase from the prior year) and that the mobile market delivered almost 200,000 meals last year. The clothing closet served 10,506 individuals and the organization provided about $181,000 in housing assistance that preserved housing for nearly 1,000 people in the year cited.

Kaufman said average household figures show continuing strain: she cited that many neighbors spend roughly $1,550 monthly on housing costs in the prior fiscal year and reported the organization's current-year average neighbor income as $1,006.11 with average housing cost cited at $1,780, placing many households in deficit by month-end.

Programs and capacity: Kaufman outlined four program pillars: basic needs (food and clothing), stabilization and housing supports, coaching and mental-health services, and community-building/family programs. Stabilization and mental-health services have expanded: the stabilization program served 1,964 unique neighbors; Network added its first therapist in October 2023 and a second therapist in February 2024, and in March 2024 a contract psychiatrist joined services. The clinical case manager and stabilization coach saw 355 neighbors last fiscal year. Kaufman also noted a Pat Doherty Memorial Fund that distributes continuing-education assistance (she reported almost $11,000 distributed) and described workforce-focused events and a computer bar to help job searches.

Seniors, volunteers and operations: Kaufman said SeniorsNet drew 991 seniors to its weekly program and that Network's handyman program completed 287 jobs. Volunteers remain a core resource: Kaufman reported more than 850 unique volunteers contributing about 32,527 hours last year. Network said 92 cents of every dollar goes toward mission services, and its most recent audit showed no findings.

Funding and gaps: Kaufman told council that federal rental-assistance funding that was available during the pandemic (she referred to CARES Act/ARPA-era funds) is largely no longer available and that the organization has redirected private fundraising to rental assistance. She said the organization had distributed $168,659 in client assistance year-to-date in the current fiscal year and that rental-assistance demand remains the greatest ongoing need.

Council reaction and next steps: councilmembers thanked Kaufman and board chair Marta Gomez Fry for the report and asked for clarification on trends; Kaufman said the data show deeper engagement by fewer households and that some new community pantries and providers have helped reduce single-visit demand while long-term-engaged neighbors use more services. Kaufman said Network is working on facility layout changes to improve food-market flow, is integrating appointment and inventory systems, and is preparing for a 40th anniversary campaign.

Ending: Kaufman closed by thanking city staff and partners for disaster response support during the May storms and other incidents, and by noting that Network continues to adjust services to match rising food demand and gaps in rental-assistance funding.