FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Health has awarded a $10,000 grant to a Fort Worth nonprofit organization to help offset costs associated with a recent fire that destroyed their food pantry.

The building and contents sustained an estimated $50,000 in damage.

The intentionally set fire, which occurred in the early hours of Nov. 28, caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to the building and contents of Eastside Ministries, at 5929 E. Lancaster Ave.

Texas Health has been a longtime supporter of the nonprofit. Since 2019, Texas Health has awarded two grants — one for $215,000 and the other $954,000 – to support and expand Eastside Ministries’ Railroad Project, a program for low-income adults that provides high blood pressure and diabetes screening, food, clothing, and mental health counseling with a goal of increasing their self-efficacy.

“Eastside Ministries and the Railroad Project program have had a profound impact on improving the lives of east Fort Worth residents, and Texas Health has been a proud supporter of those efforts,” said David Tesmer, chief community and public policy officer for Texas Health. “We were disappointed to learn about the fire and hope these funds will help the organization move forward from this setback.”

The Rev. Denise Blakely, grants administrator for Eastside Ministries, expressed appreciation for gift.

“We are so grateful that we don’t have the words, other than ‘thank you,’” Blakely said. “This is going to go a long way in our rebuilding.”

Blakely said the facility’s video surveillance cameras show a male suspect intentionally start the fire. The Fort Worth Fire Department’s arson investigations unit has arrested a suspect in connection with case, officials confirm.

“We had about a week’s worth of pity party. It hurt. It was a gut punch, but after we wiped our tears away, we realized the need was still there,” Blakely said.

Thanks to donations from area grocery stores, the nonprofit quickly resumed providing food to those in need until their own pantry can be rebuilt.

“We’ve started the rebuilding process and we’re hoping that by the end of March, we’ll be fully up and running again,” Blakely said.

Anyone interested in learning more about or donating to Eastside Ministries can do so online at www.eastsidecommunityassistance.org, or by calling 817-446-3278.