When Steven Butler, a father of twin teenage boys, lost his job at an insurance company, he ramped up his second job with a delivery service, but the income from the delivery job was not enough to cover his rent and bills.

“I got behind with rent and I couldn’t catch up,” Butler said. “My experience with Christian Community Service Center has been great. I feel like a 100-pound gorilla is off my back. I can sleep tonight.”

In addition to rent assistance, Christian Community Service Center (ccshouston.org) helped Butler and his family with food and hygiene items and, through a $59,500 grant from H-E-B, was also able to offer him an H-E-B grocery gift card.

“I really appreciate this,” Butler said, “16-year-old boys eat a lot!”

Butler was even more relieved when he found out he would not have to pay his rent assistance money back to CCSC.

“I just assumed I’d have to pay this back,” he said. “This is wonderful. It’s important for the community to have a place like this, especially in these times with inflation and how the economy is right now. Now I can keep increasing my delivery hours and concentrate on getting another insurance job.”

CCSC staff say H-E-B cards make a powerful difference for their clients receiving Emergency Services rent assistance and for their Workforce Development Program graduates. CCSC says that at Workforce Development graduations, a cheer goes up when the grads find out they will be receiving H-E-B cards, and that rent assistance clients are always extremely grateful for the extra help purchasing food.

“For those living on a limited income, these gift cards are an extraordinary boost,” CCSC President & CEO Michelle Shonbeck said. “We are grateful for our partnership with H-E-B.”

H-E-B has been helping Texans and collaborating with local non-profits for over 120 years.

“H-E-B and our Partners (Employees) continue to focus on making the lives of Texans better by serving our communities through philanthropy,” said H-E-B Senior Director of Public Affairs Houston Lisa Helfman. “From gift cards, product donations and disaster relief to volunteer opportunities, H-E-B is always ready to support organizations that make a powerful difference in our city.”