Karen Belknap

Founder @Inspired Vision Compassion Center

Dallas, TX, US

Inspired Vision Compassion Center is a large food bank in Southeast Dallas. In 2021, we gave away over $37 million dollars of food and necessities on a budget. Families came through times for groceries. We gave children toys at Christmas.In 2022, we gave away over $24 million of food and necessities, on a budget. We provided groceries for families, in need, over times that year. We gave Christmas toys to over children. We have served around 1800 families each day since 2022.The 75217 zip-code has very few doctors and no hospitals according to Dallas County. We are trying to bridge that gap by partnering with The Lifesaver Foundation offering a free children’s clinic in our building, open 5 days a week. We are a hub for Parkland Hospital who sets up a triage center every Tuesday to connect people who need health care to Parkland doctors. Parkland also offers a variety of educational classes for our community.We partner with SPCA, Operation Kindness, Spay and Neuter Network, and Duck Team 6 to immunize and provide services to the pets. We also provide free emergency pet food.We opened an Adult Education Center in May 2023, sponsored by the South Dallas Employment Project. Our computer lab is open 5 days a week to provide job skill training and counseling. Around 120 senior citizens come to our Senior Social every Friday morning. This event allows seniors to participate in much needed socialization. In addition to our daily grocery store, Inspired Vision Compassion Center, gives to about 45 smaller food banks, and churches who distribute food. We provide snacks to 48 local schools for their after-school programs.Inspired Vision Compassion Center provides home medical equipment and supplies, first aide supplies, adult diapers and bed pads, baby diapers, formula, and baby supplies, over the counter medicine, clothing, furniture, hygiene items, and many other supplies.