United Employees Deliver More Than Groceries During Volunteer Effort

On a brisk April morning, Becky Hightower and her team of volunteers at The Bread Connection welcomed five employees from United Cooperative Services who were participating in the co-op’s volunteer day. 

Hightower, co-founder and executive director of the organization, thanked all the volunteers for their time in helping them deliver food. After a quick orientation, United team members jumped into action—sorting food items, organizing inventory and assembling grocery bags for seniors in the Cleburne area.

In just a short time, 31 thoughtfully packed grocery bags of donated food  were loaded into The Bread Connection’s marked vehicles and delivered to a senior living apartment complex in Keene, where they were distributed to some of the residents. 

As the group made deliveries, many of the residents greeted Hightower by name and looked forward to her arrival like an old friend. As executive director, she said she isn’t one to simply oversee from the sidelines—she prefers to work  alongside her team, packing bags, loading vehicles and connecting with the people they serve. 

From start to finish, the process ran seamlessly—clearly one that’s been carried out hundreds of times before. 

And it wasn’t even 11 a.m. yet.

“Every bag we deliver is more than just food—it’s hope, compassion and a reminder that someone cares,” Hightower said. “We get to be the hands and feet of something bigger than ourselves. Seeing volunteers like the United team show up with open hearts is what keeps us going. It’s proof that kindness is alive and well.”

Brealee Villareal is United’s marketing and community relations manager. She said this was the first of eight scheduled volunteer days for the co-op and the first time United has sent volunteers to assist The Bread Connection, though it has supported the organization in other ways in the past.

“When you hear Becky Hightowers’ story, it’s  such an inspiring one,” she said. “I know the experience had a great impact on those who volunteered that day. Many of our employees said they appreciated not only seeing the back end and everything that goes into preparing the bags for distribution, but also actually coming face-to-face with the senior citizens who were the recipients. It was definitely a worthy cause and a success for everyone who gave their time.”

Homemade Help Prepared With Love 

The Bread Connection is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Cleburne. Entirely volunteer-run, it operates seven days a week, distributing more than 80,000 pounds of food monthly to more than 2,000 individuals across the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. From packing and delivering bread and pastries to fresh produce and meats, Hightower said that the volunteers ensure families receive nutritious, well-rounded meals with dignity and care.

It partners with more than 57 agencies—from churches to grocers—and operates under the Johnson County Food Bank. Its mission is simple: No one in our community should go to bed hungry.

Founded in the garage of Becky and Randy Hightower in 2015, The Bread Connection quickly outgrew the couple’s garage space, and the Hightowers moved in 2019 into their Henderson Street facility in Cleburne. As needs only continue to grow, Hightower said the team is preparing for a third, larger location to expand its reach even further.

“Our current building has served us well, but it’s bursting at the seams,” Hightower said. “This move will allow us to accept more food, help more families and serve with even greater efficiency.”

A Shared Commitment to Community

United Cooperative Services is proud to support organizations like The Bread Connection that are making a lasting impact on the lives of others, Villareal said. It’s one of the many ways United lives out the cooperative principle of Concern for Community—not just through financial support, but through time, talent and teamwork.

“These events are more than just volunteering—they’re opportunities to connect with the heart of our community,” she said. 

The experience of spending the morning with The Bread Connection left a deep impression on everyone involved.

Spending the day at The Bread Connection was a powerful reminder that compassion, collaboration and community can spark real change, said Forrest Brown, engineering services technician at United.

“Volunteering at The Bread Connection showed us the daily challenges surrounding food insecurity and how community action can make a difference,” Brown said. “Getting the opportunity to serve people in the community that I grew up in and am now a part of again was really a very special experience for me.”

How Members Can Help

The Bread Connection welcomes volunteers Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations are also welcome. Learn more at thebreadconnection.org.