Denton County Magazine • Mar 23 • On the Scene

The Denton Hi Noon Lions Club toured the new Our Daily Bread community shelter recently along with members of the Denton Lions Club and Denton Triangle Lions Club. The new facility on Loop 288 provides temporary shelter, meals, clothing and counseling to those in need. Our Daily Bread received a grant to purchase a new van for transportation. Denton Hi Noon Lions helped complete the purchase with a donation of $2,650. Pictured are club members making the presentation of the check to Wendy McGee, executive director of Our Daily Bread. From left to right: James Henderson, Darrel Miller, Jack Ackerman, Wendy McGee, Bob Tickner and Jack Carlisle. For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page.

Izell Bennett has been named interim executive director of First Refuge Ministries in Denton. Bennett joined First Refuge in the spring of 2021 and has served as the ministries’ director of food distribution. Bennett has more than 17 years of experience in social services, working with diverse populations including homeless, foster care, juvenile corrections, education and community sectors. First Refuge Ministries provides free medical, dental, counseling and food services in Denton County. For more information, visit DentonRefuge.org.

Camp Fire First Texas, one of the largest Camp Fire councils in the country, is providing training for child-care professionals in Texas, including Denton County. Programs are for boys, girls and their families and include camping, after-school programs, teen services, environmental education, and school readiness, in addition to professional development for early childhood educators. In 2021 and 2022, the agency provided early education training for 286 Denton County child-care professionals. The agency is led by Lauren Richard, president and CEO, and Dr. Toni Sturdivant, vice president of early education. “We want our offerings to continue to stand apart from what other organizations are offering,” Sturdivant said. “This is a great place and we have more enrollment than ever.” For more information, visit CampfireFW.org.