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November 18th through December 17th

For the past six years, Whole Earth Provision Co. has collected new toys and books for children who, through no fault of their own, might not have received gifts for the holidays. Your generosity provided children in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Southlake with presents to brighten their day. The charitable organizations who distributed the gifts were very grateful for the donations.

And so, once again we are asking for your help to make this year’s Drive a success. Here’s how it works: for each new toy or new kid’s book, in its original packaging with a value of $10 or more (or very close to it), you will receive a $5 Whole Earth gift certificate. All Whole Earth stores will accept donations beginning November 18th and running through December 17th. Our beneficiaries ask that you please not wrap the gifts.

The toys and books will be distributed by these organizations: in Austin – Manos de Cristo; in Dallas – the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center; in Houston – Star of Hope Mission; in San Antonio –-The Children’s Shelter; and in Southlake – GRACE, the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange.

You may make as many contributions as you’d like, and receive a $5 gift certificate for each one worth $10, but the gift certificates cannot be combined. They must be redeemed on separate transactions.

Thank you for helping to brighten the holidays for a disadvantaged child.

Please read on to learn more about the organizations in each city who will receive your contributions.

In Austin: Manos de Cristo
Since 1988, Manos de Cristo has been providing services for the homeless and working poor of Austin. Manos provides basic needs like food and clothing, but they also operate a dental clinic and conduct classes in computer skills and financial literacy. Their goal is to promote dignity and self-reliance among those less fortunate.

In Dallas: Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
When a child is in need of protection from abuse, the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) springs into action. DCAC coordinates the work of the police, Child Protective Services, medical, mental health, and prosecutorial agencies in the Dallas area, sparing the child from multiple, unnecessary and traumatic interviews so that healing can begin as soon as possible.

In Houston: Star of Hope Mission
For more than a century, the Star of Hope Mission has ministered to the greater Houston area, meeting the needs of nearly 1000 men, women and their children nightly. Star of Hope focuses on employment, life management, education, spiritual growth, and recovery from substance abuse. Whole Earth has partnered with them for the past several years.

In San Antonio: The Children’s Shelter
The Children’s Shelter provides emergency shelter and therapeutic residential treatment for children in crisis. Their Family Strengthening programs teach nurturing parenting skills to vulnerable families and help them to overcome crises, while the Children’s Shelter’s mental health clinic provides trauma-sensitive therapeutic interventions for children who have suffered maltreatment.

In Southlake: Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange
Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE) provides food, clothing, financial assistance and other vital necessities to people who are struggling with limited income or a recent emergency. Their Christmas Cottage creates a wonderland setting for GRACE’s clients to choose, with dignity and pride, holiday gifts for their children. More than 1600 children have been helped each year.