The CEC's Love & Hope Gala benefits the Community Enrichment Center. Our organizational mission; to change lives by restoring hope and sharing God’s love, drives the programs we design. Born from a food pantry in the closet of a church, we have expanded to provide multi-generational, multi-layered support services for homeless and low-income individuals and families and victims of domestic violence. While operating one of the largest food pantries in Tarrant County, we address affordable housing through the 207 properties we own debt free, provide employment and financial coaching to improve economic mobility, and offer job skills training and certification programs to gain access to in-demand career opportunities. Our approach aims to meet people where they are, providing the level of support they need according to their level of crisis. Rather than ushering participants through a standardized progression of staged support, participants choose their level of commitment met with our level of investment, as we help them attain self-sustainability.

The Annual Love & Hope Gala hosts anywhere from 350 to 400 attendees and provides an elegant evening including a dinner, silent and live auctions and a noteworthy keynote speaker or entertainer. Past speakers have included Laura Bush, Elizabeth Smart, Dr. Rick Rigsby and entertainer Aaron Watson.