History

About the Organization

Community Resources and More (CRAM) was founded in 2012 by Diane Granberry as a response to the overwhelming needs of the community. Beginning in St. Louis and expanding to serve Dallas as well, CRAM is a nonprofit organization that addresses social services needs for individuals and families by providing basic resources, like water and nonperishables.

Step 3

Deliver resources directly to those in need

How We Do It:

Stores like Target™️, Dollar Tree™️, or other general supply stores, have excess inventory (overstock) or damaged goods (items that are flawed or defective and cannot be sold).

CRAM contacts these stores in the community to coordinate removal (or pick-up) of the overstock or damaged inventory. Stores are incentivized to donate because the practice promotes recycling and donations can be considered tax write-offs.

Once CRAM receives enough inventory, volunteers sort items so they can be distributed to individuals in need.

In addition to basic supplies like water or non-perishables like canned food, CRAM also provides hygiene products to the community, which can include toothbrushes and toothpaste, sanitary napkins, or hypoallergenic soap.

The most important part of CRAM’s mission is to deliver items directly to the community.

To do this, CRAM’s volunteers use mobile services to meet people where they’re at. Typically, this means that volunteers drive personally-owned vehicles to encampments or low-income areas to distribute packages to those in need.

In addition to ensuring people receive help, it allows CRAM to directly engage with the community and share resources as needed.

CRAM believes in more than just feeding the hungry…

We want to build community with our neighbors.

We want to educate everyone about the systemic barriers that create oppression amongst marginalized communities. This includes sharing knowledge and resources to help others understand how to break down these barriers (or even how they may be contributing to creating barriers).

We want to empower individuals and families during their transition toward independence.

We believe in justice for all and more.