Friday, April 26, 2024
Executive Director Sharla Caro was among those who celebrated the $100,000 grant award given last year to Rancho Brazos Community Centers.
Last year, Rancho Brazos Community Centers celebrated its 20th anniversary, a generous land lease deal from the county for expansion plans, a $100,000 grant from Kubota Tractor Corporation, and the fact that a ministry started in a tent by Acton United Methodist Church grew from helping one neighborhood to helping thousands in Hood County.
This year, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit is fighting for survival. Ninety percent of its funding has evaporated because of the split between the UMC and the new denomination Global Methodist Church.
RBCC Executive Director Sharlo Caro recently spoke about the crisis during two meetings at which the Hood County Commissioners Court invited public opinion about the allocation of remaining pandemic-related American Rescue Plan Act funds.
News of the greatly diminished funding from AUMC was delivered in December, according to Caro.
“We are 100% on our own, with three weeks’ notice,” she said.
Caro said that the remaining membership at AUMC has pledged $10,000 per month for “as long as they can afford it” to cover salaries for a reduced crew of eight employees. The church’s previous monthly allocation of $37,000 stopped effective Jan. 1, she said.
“Benevolence” dollars given by the church to pay for such things as utilities, once about $5,000 per month, were zero in January, $1,000 in February, and $1,500 for March, she stated.
In addition to those troubles, Caro said that costs paid to the Tarrant Area Food Bank will go up from 3 cents per pound to 19 cents per pound effective April 1, which will increase expenses for RBCC by $3-$5 per carload for families that participate in the mobile food pantry.
In addition to providing food and hygiene items for families in need, RBCC provides a variety of other services: free afterschool programs where children grades K-12 are given help with homework and snacks; life skills training; parenting education classes; job training/employment assistance; food preparation/nutrition instruction; and emergency assistance.
The organization’s focus is the Rancho Brazos, Sandy Beach, and Park 377/Carter Court neighborhoods but it has served families in other locations in Hood County as well. RBCC is a United Way partner agency, and its board now includes representatives from throughout the county, not just AUMC.
The nonprofit’s main location is 3701 Sundown Trail in Rancho Brazos in Acton. Last year the county and RBCC entered into a lease agreement in which the county is leasing to the RBCC 4.5 acres at the Sundown Trail location for 99 years at a cost of $1 per year. Precinct 3 Commissioner Jack Wilson funded the entire 99 years. Plans for that site include a second building, a community garden, and chickens to be raised by local children.
As for any allocation of ARPA funds, that remains to be seen, although several members of the court appeared concerned over RBCC’s plight. County Judge Ron Massingill in particular was vocal about the importance of feeding children.
The court voted unanimously at its March 14 regular meeting to have the county’s Emergency Management office recommend an application and review process for remaining ARPA funds.
Those interested in donating to RBCC can do so online at ranchobrazoscommunitycenters.org or by calling 817-910-8114.
