More than 1,000 pounds of leftovers from Roy Pope Grocery helped locals in need
A long-time Roy Pope Grocery shopper was taking her last trip to the Camp Bowie market when she noticed the shelves were still stocked full on its last day before closing to become a restaurant.
“I asked the employees what the plan was for whatever didn’t sell,” Pam Burkholder, Director of Communications for First Presbyterian Church, told the Star-Telegram in an email. “They had discussed donation, but did not have anything scheduled or set up, so I suggested a great place that I knew.”
She then told Jennifer Martinez, director of Community Crossroads, the church’s mission outreach center. This ministry focuses on serving low-income or unhoused individuals and families. They provide many services like groceries, hygiene supplies, clothing, diapers, formula, pet food and Wednesday worship nights with a hot meal.
According to Martinez, Community Crossroads serves more than 1,000 neighbors every week. They welcome anyone who needs help.
More than 1,000 pounds of grocery and paper goods from Roy Pope were donated to the charitable organization. Martinez said they received produce, meal kits, breads and baked goods, desserts, snack items, beverages among other fresh and pantry foods.
“It was a diverse assortment of quality products that would otherwise have gone to waste,” she said.
Two van-loads, four carloads and a whole team of volunteers transported the hefty amount of donations. The items were added to Community Crossroads weekly grocery distributions and sack lunch programs. Martinez estimates Roy Pope surplus items benefited hundreds of locals in need.
“We are incredibly grateful to the staff at Roy Pope Grocery for thinking of Community Crossroads during this transition,” she said. “Their generosity allowed us to rescue quality food and supplies, reduce waste, and turn a difficult ending into a blessing for our neighbors.”
Roy Pope Grocery plans
Westland Hospitality Group – known for revitalizing JD’s Hamburgers, Margie’s, Pulido’s – plans to convert the 80-year-old grocery store into a restaurant and bar that serves steaks, seafoods and westside neighborhood’s legacy “Mac salad.”
The grocery closed on May 31 for renovations to start.
Managing partner Bourke Harvey says Roy Pope will still be honored in the restaurant name as well as include interior tributes to Roy and Rose Pope.
An opening timeline for the revitalized restaurant at 2300 Merrick St. has not yet been released.
This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM.