According to the North Texas Food Bank President and CEO Trisha Cunningham,
“This North Texas Giving Day, the community can help us ‘Nurture the Future’ by empowering North Texans facing hunger to reach their potential and build brighter tomorrows.
“No one deserves to be hungry, but unfortunately, across the 13 counties served by the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), nearly 640,000 people are experiencing hunger – including one in six children who do not know where their next meal will come from. When people experience hunger, it not only impacts their physical health, but it affects their ability to learn, work, and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
“For more than 40 years, the NTFB has been working to close the hunger gap in North Texas by providing access to nutritious food. When we ensure everyone has enough to eat, we cultivate a brighter future for all North Texas. To accomplish this, we collaborate with a diverse feeding network of nearly 500 food pantries and community organizations that meet hunger at its doorstep in their local communities. Together with our feeding partners and with the support of our dedicated volunteers and a generous community, we provided access to more than 144 million meals in our last fiscal year – the most ever in our history.
“And the need continues. Families remain vulnerable to the increased pressure of the higher cost of living, with the Food Bank providing more meals now than during the height of the pandemic. The NTFB and our partners are here to ensure neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive.
“This includes neighbors like Donovan. As a single dad, Donovan works hard to provide for his 8-year-old son – balancing work and pursuing his college degree while raising his child. Even with his SNAP benefits, the increased cost of food has made providing for his family difficult. Donovan was able to find the help he needed at one of the NTFB’s partner food pantries, which allowed him to allocate resources to other areas of need. As he said: ‘I’m trying to balance being in school and being a full-time father, so this food really helps. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about what you are willing to do. You never know how you can make a difference.’
“We are grateful to be a part of such a generous community through our participation in Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day for the past 13 years. The support we have received from our match sponsors and supporters on this day is helping neighbors like Donovan receive not only food, but also hope for a brighter future. Every dollar donated provides access to three nutritious meals – and every meal makes a difference. Thank you for helping us Nurture the Future and work toward a hunger-free, healthy North Texas.”
* Graphic/photo provided by North Texas Food Bank
In 14 years, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $503 million into the North Texas community. In 2022, more than $62.6 million was raised through 94,385 donors benefiting over 3,210 area nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 21, support North Texas Food Bank by clicking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay2023
Trisha Cunningham says
Thank you Jeanne for spotlighting the issue of food insecurity that is the most basic need that has to be addressed before those in our community can thrive!