The latest Map the Meal Gap report from Feeding America shows that Texas has the highest number of children facing hunger. With summer approaching, many of these children who rely on free and reduced meals during the school year may go without enough nutritious food. To address this critical need, Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) is asking for community support and leading several initiatives to ensure that its 270 partner hunger relief charities remain stocked and plates remain filled this summer.
How You Can Help
Tarrant Area Food Bank encourages community members to give food and funds to defeat summer hunger. Every $10 donation helps provide access to 50 nutritious meals.
Food drives focused on collecting kid-friendly snacks are also a big help. The most needed items are pop-top cans of ravioli, meats and soups; individual cups of macaroni and cheese; oatmeal, cereal and cereal bars; fruit cups and juice boxes.
TAFB’s Efforts to End Summer Hunger
In June 2019, TAFB kicked off its Produce Market, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to families. Through the program families are able to take home bags full of locally grown tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon, berries and many other items they would not easily be able to purchase at the store. While families shop for produce at the market, their children can enjoy a healthy breakfast made possible by the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), an initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tarrant Area Food Bank is also providing summer meals at more than 60 host churches, community centers, schools and YMCAs through SFSP.
In addition to summer meals, the USDA has been a key source for other healthy foods, including apples, oranges, nuts, milk, frozen pork and chicken. Tarrant Area Food Bank has also partnered with food manufacturers and grocery stores to take on summer hunger. With the help of these partners, TAFB is able to distribute even more nutritious food. And thanks to recent distribution center renovations, the organization has more space to safely store fresh and frozen food before it makes its way to partners across North Texas.
A Carefree, Hunger-Free Summer
As TAFB and its partner food pantries prepare for some of the hungriest months of the year, community support is vital. In partnership with the community, Tarrant Area Food Bank is aiming to create a carefree, hunger-free summer for children and their families. In addition, encourage Congress to take steps to help close the meal gap for hungry kids in Texas and beyond. Visit this link to take action.
Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2019 uses data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and food price data and analysis provided by Nielsen, a global provider of information and insights. The study is supported by The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Conagra Brands Foundation and Nielsen.
