Across the Metroplex, families are preparing to celebrate the holiday season. The centerpiece of these celebrations: food. But for more than 527,000 North Texans, the pickings are pretty slim.
One in every six people in Tarrant County and 12 surrounding counties face hunger, according to the latest data from Feeding America. And one out of every four children live with uncertainty about their next meal. These statistics are the driving force behind the work of Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB), a nonprofit fighting hunger in North Texas.
By partnering with 270 nonprofits and the local community, TAFB is able to fill the plates of hungry people across North Texas. This work results in access to more than 500,000 nutritious meals for children, families and seniors each week. But while the organization is making great strides, more support is needed to make a bigger dent in the fight against hunger.
In the United States, 40 million people, including more than 12 million children, don’t get enough food to eat. When compared to other states, Texas has the second highest number of hungry children.
In addition, Tarrant County is one of the top 10 counties in the U.S. with the highest number of hungry people overall. Many of these people regularly choose between paying for food and paying for medical care, utilities and transportation. During the holidays, these choices may become more difficult.
This holiday season, you can help fill the plates of hungry North Texans by donating to Tarrant Area Food Bank. A $10 donation can provide access to 50 meals. To give, visit tafb.org/donate.
As a food distribution center, TAFB is able to make each dollar go further than it could on an average trip to the grocery store. In fact, every dollar donated helps Tarrant Area Food Bank provide access to five nutritious meals.
Over the years, TAFB has made a significant shift in the type of food provided to hungry people. Instead of mainly canned goods, families can choose from a wide variety of fresh food to fill their fridges. Fruits and vegetables make up more than a third of the food TAFB distributes. In addition, the organization provides access to whole grains, dairy products, meats and more.
Thank you for filling empty plates, and warming hearts, this holiday season.
