History

The Little Elm Area Food Bank began over twenty years ago in a closet at the Baptist Church when Pearl Gentsch asked for a birthday gift to help the poor. Prior to Pearl's efforts those in need, including many without dependable transportation, had to travel to Denton or Dallas for any type of aid. Her humble beginnings have now grown into a community effort. As the Food Bank grew and government commodities were received, the Food Bank needed larger facilities and was moved to the Little Elm Community Center.

The Lions Club maintained this structure until 2002 when the Lawrence/McWhorter Foundation began to provide funding to establish a resale shop and Food Bank on Eldorado Parkway. On November 2005, the Food Bank moved to its present location. With the aid of the Town of Little Elm and individual residents, the Food Bank relocated to its current location at 501 Bill Street. To date, the Little Elm Area Food Bank is the only non-profit service agency that provides emergency food assistance to households in crisis in the Little Elm area.

As our area population grows so do the needs of our residents. Over 4,000 hours of volunteer support will be required each year to aid over 1,700 residents in need of short-term assistance in 2009 and 2010. To meet this demand, approximately $50,000 and 45,000 pounds of canned and packaged foods will need to be raised or collected to keep the food pantry stocked.