H-E-B Supports Mission

October 2026

Feeding Hunger, Fostering Hope,

Furthering Success

Graduates of CCSC’s Martha’s Way residential housekeeping training receive certificates, business and cleaning supplies, and an H-E-B grocery gift card. Lisa Helfman, H-E-B Managing Director of Public Affairs–Houston, and Vicki Luna-Lerma, H-E-B Public Affairs Manager, pictured at center, attend a recent graduation to present the gift cards and celebrate the graduates’ achievements.

#HEBHelpingHere

H-E-B’s commitment to serving Texans aligns closely with Christian Community Service Center’s mission to alleviate the effects of poverty, creating a strong partnership. The family-owned grocer recently reinforced that partnership with a $60,000 grant to CCSC.

The grant provides $50 H-E-B grocery gift cards, which CCSC distributes through its Emergency Services, Workforce Development and Youth Services programs. H-E-B also recently provided the beautiful floral arrangements for CCSC’s Fostering Hope Luncheon.

Since 1905, H-E-B has contributed to worthy causes throughout Texas and Mexico.

“At H-E-B, our commitment to serving Texans extends beyond our stores and into the communities we call home,” said Lisa Helfman, Managing Director of Public Affairs for H-E-B. “Whether through financial support, gift cards, product donations, volunteer efforts, or disaster relief, our Partners are proud to stand alongside organizations that are creating meaningful change and making a lasting impact in our community."

CCSC staff see that impact every time they distribute H-E-B cards. Clients are always extremely grateful for the extra help with food.

"I really appreciate this,” Steven B. said when CCSC helped with his rent and he received an H-E-B card. "16-year-old boys eat a lot!"

“CCSC was founded to reduce the effects of poverty, and today we continue that work by focusing on emergency assistance, job training, and support for youth,” CCSC President & CEO Michelle Shonbeck said. "H-E-B is propelling that mission by investing in CCSC. We are grateful to our friends at H-E-B.”

Help Jingle Bell Express

Deliver Christmas Joy

CCSC's Jingle Bell Express program serves families and children in need in three ways: toys for play and learning, books to promote literacy, and grocery gift cards to alleviate hunger. As high prices stretch families’ resources, Jingle Bell Express is ready to serve 2,500 children this December.

You can support Jingle Bell Express by donating new and unwrapped nonviolent toys and books for children from newborn to 15 years old, and by volunteering at the event.

DONATE! Click HERE for our Amazon Wish List.

OPTION 1: Deliver gifts to CCSC by December 4 (weekdays 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m./ Saturdays 9:00 a.m.-noon) at Christian Community Service Center (ATTN: Jingle Bell Express), 3434 Branard St., Houston, TX 77027.

OPTION 2: Shop the CCSC JINGLE BELL EXPRESS 2026 WISH LIST at JBE 2026 Wish List by December 1. For your convenience, this wish list includes the toys our clients most often request. You can ship items directly to CCSC (ATTN: Jingle Bell Express), 3434 Branard St., Houston, TX 77027, or select delivery to your home address first, then bring items to CCSC by December 4.

OPTION 3: Hand deliver gifts to Jingle Bell Express on December 7 (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, TX 77401. Enter from Bellaire Boulevard and park in the EAST PARKING LOT. Drop off items in the gym.

VOLUNTEER! Volunteers will help in a variety of ways from December 8 through December 12, including indoor setup, gift bag assembly and outdoor drive-thru assistance. Volunteers must sign up in advance through this link: Volunteer Sign-Up. Volunteer groups of eight people or more should contact Youth Services Manager Lauren Walker at lwalker@ccschouston.org or 713-961-3993.

Your School

Can Make a Difference

Calling all students and educators! Take part in CCSC’s mission!

Every year, CCSC provides thousands of struggling families with nutritious food and gently used clothing donated by caring community members. These donations help keep our food and clothing pantries stocked.

This academic year, CCSC invites your school or school group to join our mission to serve Houstonians in need. Students can make an impact through food, clothing, and can opener drives; toy and book collections; and making cards and backpack tags with encouraging messages.

A list of needed nonperishable food items and accepted clothing donations can be found HERE. Toy and book ideas for Jingle Bell Express drives can be found HERE.

Making holiday cards or decorating backpack tags with encouraging messages is a fun project for all ages, and they lift our clients' spirits.

“We encourage schools to get creative with their projects by organizing a contest to encourage participation or picking a theme that is meaningful to your school," Youth Services & Youth Engagement Director Sarah Hans said. "You can take it a step further by incorporating an age-appropriate lesson on poverty. The options are endless and the impact is great—both for CCSC's clients and your students.”

Find a list of school projects HERE.

For questions, to discuss a project idea, or to arrange a drop-off, contact Sarah Hans at shans@ccschouston.org.

Volunteer at

The Hamill Foundation

East End Food Pantry

CCSC will open The Hamill Foundation East End Food Pantry at 2002 S. Wayside Dr. in late 2026.

Volunteers are needed to serve one weekday shift (same day each week), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bilingual (English/Spanish) volunteers are especially needed.

Training begins the week of October 19. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity, make an appointment with Volunteer Manager Beth Robertson by visiting bit.ly/EastEndRecruiting.

Volunteers are needed in these areas:

--Administration/Reception

--Interviewing

--Shopping

--Cashier

--Warehouse

Make Your Home Shine

Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it. Treat yourself to a sparkling clean house for the holidays by hiring a Martha's Way-trained housekeeper.

Martha's Way is CCSC's vocational housekeeping program, and graduates have been cleaning homes and building better financial futures for their families since 2003.

To be put in touch with a Martha's Way-trained housekeeper, visit our website HERE, contact Martha's Way Manager Rebeca Ponce at rponce@ccschouston.org or call 713-961-3993 ext. 3281.

Rebeca will put you in touch with two or three Martha's Way graduates you can interview. Your new housekeeper will have your house glowing in no time.

Give a Special Gift

this Christmas

A donation to CCSC in the name of a friend or family member makes a wonderful gift while helping those in need of food, financial assistance or employment coaching.

When you make an honor gift, we will send a custom-designed CCSC holiday card letting the recipient know about your special gift in their name.

To make a gift in honor of a loved one, click HERE and check the box next to “Dedicate this Gift." Then select "Christmas in honor of" from the drop-down menu and use the boxes to enter the name of the person you wish to recognize and the address where you want the card delivered. Please note that we can only send one (1) CCSC Christmas card per donation.

Next Family Service Day

Join us for a 1.25-hour service project with your family on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

Family Service Day is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the work of CCSC and give back as a family.

In just over an hour, families can tour CCSC’s food pantry and pack hygiene kits for our neighbors in need.

Activities are geared to children in kindergarten through 6th grade. Children must be accompanied by an adult; families serve together.

Click HERE to register your family today.

For more information on this position, click the following link or the image above to visit the "Join Our Team" page on our website

Join Our Team | Christian Community Service Center

Our mission is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled and otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic or cultural differences.

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