While the problem of hunger may be getting bigger, the solutions are getting better, thanks to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and its new initiatives at the grand opening of its Dan Morton campus and new cold storage distribution center in Dallas TX.
NTFB is announcing initiatives for “ReThink Hunger,“ focused on providing healthier food, developing new ways to extend reach and operations, and improving lives. The organization’s $7 million holiday fund-raising goal backs these efforts and will help meet increasing demand—enabling distribution of 26% more nutritious food than in 2010.
The opening of this new warehouse distribution center on Dan Morton Drive represents one of the first steps in NTFB’s ReThink Hunger initiatives. The additional facility, which doubles the Food Bank’s warehouse capacity, not only streamlines operations to its Member Agencies and programs in the 13 counties it serves, but also focuses on providing more nutritious foods with its additional 25,000 square feet of cold storage space. NTFB now distributes more fresh produce than any other food category.
NTFB’s “Hungry Today” holiday campaign illustrates the new faces of hunger across North Texas, and calls for help in raising $7 million in funding needed to distribute 35 million pounds of food. This figure includes 12 million pounds of fresh produce—enough food to fill NTFB’s two main warehouses 12 times during the holidays and throughout 2012.
Nearly one in six people in the NTFB service area is living in hunger—about 17% of the population, and higher than the national average of about 16%. Poverty is also increasing: nearly 1 in 5 people in Dallas County live in poverty, according to government statistics.
Supporters are encouraged to give a dollar, a can of healthy food, or their time this holiday season. It is simple to make a donation online or start a virtual food drive with friends and family. This year, supporters can also text “NTFB” to 80888 to make a quick $10 donation. Details on NTFB’s ReThink Hunger efforts and Hungry Today holiday campaign can be found online at www.ntfb.org.
