1. Is the CEC a faith-based organization?
Yes, the CEC was formed by Richland Hills Church of Christ. In 1988 the CEC became an independent 501(c)(3) that is now supported by 25 churches of various denominations. People served by the CEC are not required to be members of any church nor are they expected to participate in any type of church services.

2. Are there really homeless people in Tarrant County?
Yes! The homeless may seem to be invisible but they are there. Homeless live in cars, flop house hotels, and in other places not intended for human habitation. There are 5,278 people homeless on any given night in Tarrant County; 946 of them are children.

3. How much does it cost the CEC to support a family in the Adopt-A-Family Program?
It costs about $10,000 a year to support a family in the Adopt-A-Family Program. Approximately a third is covered by grants from HUD and local housing agencies. Another third is rents, while Adopt-A-Family sponsors make up the remainder.

4. How many families are in the Adopt-A-Family Program?
At any given time, there are 60-80 families with 150-200 children in the Program.

5. What is the role of the volunteer mentors? How much of a time commitment is there?
Mentors are trained and asked to contact their family once a week while the family is in the program. Mentors provide encouragement for their families. 

6. How does the CEC move people from homelessness to self-sufficiency?
The Adopt-A-Family Program provides a roof over their head, case management support, education and employment counseling, personal skills training, GED training classes and groceries to each family in the program. All of these services are provided for as long as 24-months while the family learns to live on their own.

7. Where does the CEC’s Food Pantry get its food?
The CEC gets its food from donations made by corporations, churches, community service organizations, and many individual food drives. All donations are appreciated.

8. How often can a person come to the Food Pantry?
A low-income person can come to the Food Pantry 4 times a year. An elderly person or someone who is handicapped or disabled can come once a month. Seniors who participate in the Wednesday Senior’s Day program get groceries each week. The pantry provides about a week’s worth of food for the size family represented.

9. How does food get distributed to those in need?
Volunteers staff the Food Pantry. Over 25,000 volunteer hours are contributed each year to help distribute about 1 million pounds of food to the 35,000+ people who come to the CEC for groceries each year.

10. If I donate a car to the CEC, how is it used and can I take a tax deduction for it?
Cars in good running condition are given to families in the Adopt-A-Family Program. All other cars are sold at auction with the proceeds going to the CEC. The CEC provides an acknowledgment for every donation. The sales price of the car can be used for tax purposes.

11. What percentage of your budget goes to administration and fundraising?
Administrative expenses are 8.3% of the total budget. Fundraising is another 6.6%. The United Way standard is 25% or less. The Better Business Bureau’s standard is 35%.