Local businessmen issue challenge to ‘Pack the Pantry’ for largest food drive in Rockwall County history

(ROCKWALL, TX – October 4, 2015) Rockwall County Helping Hands is the main social service provider for Rockwall County residents. For more than 30 years the agency has been making a difference in the lives of Rockwall County residents by alleviating financial crisis and providing a medical home.

hh groundbreaking — Rockwall County Helping Hands kickstarted its capital campaign renovations project on Aug. 28, with a groundbreaking at site of the project’s first phase – the Reeves Service Center at 102 S.First St.

By relocating their Assistance & Referral Program to the Reeves Service Center in Rockwall, the agency has doubled the size of its food pantry from the old 2,500 square foot facility to a newer and larger 5,000-plus square foot space.

Rockwall businessmen Justin Holland and Brian Llewellyn have challenged local companies, civic organizations and community leaders to pull off the largest food drive in Rockwall County’s history.

“When we reached out to Helping Hands about a way to increase their ability to serve local struggling families, they told us about their plan to double the pantry. That sparked our interest,” said Holland, a local realtor who serves on the Heath City Council.

Brian Llewellyn, who owns a local State Farm insurance agency, added, “ We wanted to do something big and bold something that had never been done before and pushed the limits of possibility for the betterment of the Helping Hands client base.”

The goal is to double the distribution of food bags and number of families served over the 2015 holiday season and following year which enables Helping Hands to continue meeting the needs of Rockwall County.

In 2014, Helping Hands distributed over 25,000 bags of food and served nearly 3,500 families. As Rockwall County grows, Helping Hands anticipates future needs by planning for larger core service facilities and expansion of their Boutique and Thrift Store, which are staples in their annual budget.

“As the population of Rockwall County continues to increase, so do the needs of this community and those that live here. We’re excited to start preparing for this growth with phase one of our Capital Campaign project by doubling our Assistance & Referral space,” said Jon Bailey, President and CEO of Rockwall County Helping Hands. “Doubling the food pantry comes with the challenge of filling it up, so when Justin and Brian approached me with the idea of “Pack the Pantry” I felt the timing couldn’t have been better. We are humbled by the continued support of everyone in Rockwall County, businesses and individuals alike, and this is just another example of how caring Rockwall really is.”

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