History
In In 1999, our Founder used her Christmas bonus to give 20 gift bags of socks and work gloves to day laborers she encountered each day on her way to work. This began the holiday tradition among her friends and co-workers to provide for those in need, growing the number of bags distributed each year. Ten years later, a board of directors was formed, four of whom have donated to the cause since 2000, and the Labre Society was created. In May 2009, the IRS granted the Labre Society non-profit status as a 501(c)(3) Public Charity.
The original goal of the Labre Society gift bags for the homeless was 50 bags to be delivered at Christmas time. Over the years the goal has been increased to match the need and, at Christmas 2009, 480 bags were distributed to homeless adults along with 40 backpacks for homeless children. The board of directors added Summer Relief Bags in June 2010. To beat the Texas heat for Fort Worth homeless adults, 480 bags were filled and distributed. The maximum number of 700 adult Christmas bags was reached in 2012 and continued for 3 years. Beginning in 2015, fewer bags were required to serve the population on Lancaster, so the number was again set at 480 bags for both summer and winter distributions, along with the children’s backpacks.
2019 marked Labre’s 10th year as a Non-Profit and 20th year since inception. We again distributed 480 sport packs with daily necessities in June, and in December, we switched to full size adult backpacks to celebrate our anniversary and realize a long-held dream for the board. The backpacks will provide more storage capacity and a longer lasting outdoor solution for those we serve. We handed out 48 special children’s backpacks as well.
Businesses in the Fort Worth area have come on board as strong supporters of the bags. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority donated 2 bus passes for each bag between 2007 and 2013. That program ended and we now purchase 1920 passes per year from donations received. Ben E. Keith Company has contributed food and bottled water for the bags since 2008. Oliver Dyer’s Appliance has transported our food for years. When We Love provides storage for the bag items and provides the space to pack on the day before distribution.
The Labre Society wishes especially to thank our long-term Benefactors:
The invaluable support of business and selfless individuals will ensure the continued success of our program to provide basic support to the homeless of Tarrant County, Texas.
The original goal of the Labre Society gift bags for the homeless was 50 bags to be delivered at Christmas time. Over the years the goal has been increased to match the need and, at Christmas 2009, 480 bags were distributed to homeless adults along with 40 backpacks for homeless children. The board of directors added Summer Relief Bags in June 2010. To beat the Texas heat for Fort Worth homeless adults, 480 bags were filled and distributed. The maximum number of 700 adult Christmas bags was reached in 2012 and continued for 3 years. Beginning in 2015, fewer bags were required to serve the population on Lancaster, so the number was again set at 480 bags for both summer and winter distributions, along with the children’s backpacks.
2019 marked Labre’s 10th year as a Non-Profit and 20th year since inception. We again distributed 480 sport packs with daily necessities in June, and in December, we switched to full size adult backpacks to celebrate our anniversary and realize a long-held dream for the board. The backpacks will provide more storage capacity and a longer lasting outdoor solution for those we serve. We handed out 48 special children’s backpacks as well.
Businesses in the Fort Worth area have come on board as strong supporters of the bags. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority donated 2 bus passes for each bag between 2007 and 2013. That program ended and we now purchase 1920 passes per year from donations received. Ben E. Keith Company has contributed food and bottled water for the bags since 2008. Oliver Dyer’s Appliance has transported our food for years. When We Love provides storage for the bag items and provides the space to pack on the day before distribution.
The Labre Society wishes especially to thank our long-term Benefactors:
- Lockheed Martin Aero CARES
- Ben E Keith Foods
- Wm. Lloyd Walsh
- John and Kathryn Murphey
- Richard and Pat Carr
- Energy Frontiers Partners
- Mike Roach
- Oliver Dyers Appliances
The invaluable support of business and selfless individuals will ensure the continued success of our program to provide basic support to the homeless of Tarrant County, Texas.
