The Heart Behind Our Beginning
Hope for the Cities began in March 2020, when COVID-19 shutdowns left many families uncertain about their next meal. Leaders from the Wylie Independent School District asked for help in caring for children who depended on free and reduced-cost meals normally served at school for the remainder of the school year. What started as an urgent response to a crisis quickly grew into a lasting movement of compassion.
Since that time, Hope for the Cities and volunteers from across the community gather weekly to organize, box and hand-deliver meals to families facing food insecurity. Hope for the Cities has also expanded its services, not only providing meals but also financial assistance for medical bills, utilities and housing needs; job readiness support; emergency shelter; crisis intervention; transportation help; holiday programs such as Thanksgiving meals and Operation Blue Santa. Mentorship and offering one-on-one coaching have also become a central part of the mission.
Today, Hope for the Cities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers both immediate benevolence assistance and long-term, holistic support. Our vision is not only to meet urgent needs but also to walk alongside individuals and families, helping them believe in and step into their full potential for a brighter, independent and more sustainable future.
What We Do
Hope for the Cities is dedicated to guiding individuals and families out of crisis and into lasting stability through compassionate support and practical resources.
Our Hope
We want our friends to feel confident in their future regardless of their current circumstances, and in themselves regardless of previous mistakes or missteps.
Who We Serve
We serve people who are experiencing food insecurity, vocationally under-resourced or have no consistent source of housing.
In Our Community
Hope for the Cities currently serves Collin County, Texas. The North Texas Food Bank honored Hope for the Cities as a Collin County Emerging Partner of the Year in 2024 and was the recipient of the Advancing Hope Award in 2025.
Need Assistance?
Our Resource Center is here to help.
Call 469.279.3337
Email assistance@hopeforthecities.com
Visit us at 200 N. Ballard Ave, Wylie, TX during hours of operation.
Monday 10 am—3 pm | Tuesday 10 am—3 pm | Wednesday by appointment only
Assistance We Offer
LIFE ESSENTIALS
At Hope for the Cities, we believe that true hope goes beyond meeting immediate needs—it’s about equipping people with the tools to build a stronger future.
Through our Life Essentials Program, we provide support and training in everyday skills that empower individuals and families to thrive:
- Budgeting – learning how to manage money wisely
- Time Management – balancing priorities with confidence
- Document Management – organizing important records and paperwork
- Home Economics – practical skills for daily living
- Property Maintenance – caring for and sustaining a safe home
Life Essentials helps our friends not only navigate the challenges of today but also prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.
RELATIONAL SKILLS
Strong relationships are at the heart of a thriving life. At Hope for the Cities, we provide tools and encouragement to help individuals build healthier connections with family, friends, and the community.
Our Relational Skills Program focuses on:
- Conflict Resolution – learning to navigate differences with respect and understanding
- Serving Others – developing a heart for generosity and community care
- Care & Recovery – walking with others through seasons of hurt, loss or difficulty
By investing in relational growth, we help our friends experience healing, strengthen their support networks and create a foundation for lasting hope.
VOCATIONAL READINESS
Hope for the Cities equips individuals with the skills and confidence they need to pursue meaningful work and long-term stability.
Our Vocational Readiness Program offers:
- Credentialing – support in earning a GED, ESL certification, and other essential qualifications
- Resume Writing – crafting professional résumés that highlight strengths and experience
- Interview Preparation – building confidence and communication skills for job interviews
- Job Search Assistance – practical guidance and resources for finding the right opportunities
Through Vocational Readiness, we empower people to discover their potential, open doors to new possibilities, and take steps toward lasting independence.
HOLISTIC WELL-BEING
At Hope for the Cities, we believe true hope comes from caring for the whole person — mind, body and spirit.
Our Holistic Wellbeing Program supports individuals as they grow stronger in every area of life:
- Spiritual Health – fostering faith, purpose and resilience
- Mental Health – providing resources, counseling and strategies for emotional balance
- Physical Health – promoting healthy habits, nutrition and self-care
- Emotional Well-being – equipping individuals to process feelings, build resilience and cope with life’s challenges
By nurturing Holistic Wellbeing, we help our friends experience restoration, confidence and a greater sense of balance in their daily lives.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Become a Volunteer
- INVENTORY FOOD SUPPLIES: Sorting food donations, counting inventory and organizing food on shelves. (Mondays from 1—3 pm)
- STAGING TABLES FOR FOOD PREP AND PACKING: Set up tables, boxes and supplies for meal prep and packaging. (Tuesdays from 12—1 pm)
- MEAL PREP AND PACKING: Pack, seal and stage food boxes for Food Box Delivery. (Tuesdays from 1—2 pm)
- FOOD BOX DELIVERY: Hand deliver meals to food box recipient homes. (Wednesdays from 3—5:30 pm)
All located at The Cross Church Event Center, 200 N. Ballard Ave., Wylie, TX 75098
Become a Corporate or Nonprofit Partner
We are committed to helping area businesses understand what they can do to break the cycle of hunger and homelessness in our community. We’d love to partner with your organization/ministry to help provide holistic, long-term solutions for our friends that need help in our community.
JOIN OUR GROWING PARTNER LIST
Wylie ISD, Community ISD, Collin College-Wylie Campus, City of Wylie, Wylie Police Department, Wylie Fire Department, Wylie Community Christian Care Center, Amazing Grace Food Pantry, St. Vincent De Paul Society Wylie, 5 Loaves Food Pantry, His Gracious Hands, Collin County Homeless Coalition, Bed Start, Assistance Center of Collin County, Salvation Army of Plano, Unite Dallas, Hopes Door New Beginning Center, New Hope Christian Church, Waterbrook Bible Fellowship, Housing Forward, Habitat for Humanity of Collin County, Agape Resource & Assistance Center, City Mission, Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas, Wylie Children’s Medical Clinic, LifePath Systems, Infinite Hope, The Wylie News, CommonGood Medical, Local Good Center, CityBridge Urgent Care, Family Promise of Collin County, Raymond James Wylie, and Farmers Electric Cooperative.
Give Hope
As a nonprofit, we depend on the financial support of individuals and organizations to serve the hungry and homeless in our community.
Give online or send your gift to: P.O. Box 790 | 200 North Ballard Ave | Wylie, TX 75098
Your Support in Action
Hope for the Cities brings hope to the homeless, hungry and hurting in Collin County, Texas. Collin County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, is known for its thriving economy, top-rated schools and vibrant communities. Yet rapid growth also brings rising housing costs and living expenses that strain many families, leaving some at risk of food insecurity and in need of essential benevolent services. Hope for the Cities plays a vital role in helping residents access food, support and resources to maintain stability and well-being.
People Served Through Food Outreach
- 200,000 pounds of food each year.
- 395 children fed every week.
- 300 adults fed every week.
- 45 senior citizens fed every week.
- 23 weekly delivery routes through Wylie, Lavon,
Princeton, Nevada, and Josephine every week. - Community ISD Food 4 Kids program.
People Served Through Benevolence
- 500+ families served (housing, utilities, medical, transportation, job training and placements, food, budgeting, counseling) each year.
- $1,000,000+ in financial assistance provided since 2020.
- Hope for the Cities provides needed resources, case management, mentoring, and navigation to our network of— community partners through the Resource Center at 200 N Ballard Ave, Wylie, TX 75098.
- Other programs include Campus Compassion Initiative, Adopt-a-Family Thanksgiving and Back-to-School supplies.