North Texas Food Bank calls on community to unite in the fight

Dallas, TX, August 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) will join Feeding America and other member food banks for Hunger Action Month.^® this September to inspire people to join the fight against hunger and raise awareness for those suffering from food insecurity in the United States.

A recent study found that Texas now leads the nation in food insecurity, overtaking California. Texas struggles with a food insecurity rate of 16.4%, meaning nearly 5 million people are hungry, and an alarming third of those affected are children. Additionally, the study highlights the ongoing challenges in the NTFB's 13-county service area, ranking it as the fourth most food insecure area in the country. Approximately 778,000 people, or 1 in 7 people, are food insecure in the NTFB service area, and tragically, nearly 40%, or 286,860 of those, are children.

“In the heart of North Texas, where the number of hungry people exceeds the population of cities like Seattle or San Francisco, the statistic that hits hardest is that nearly 40% of those in need are children, and that is unacceptable,” said Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. “Hunger Action Month is a great reminder that when members of our community get involved, pitch in and raise their voices, they are part of a powerful movement that can change the lives of our neighbors for the better.”

Hunger Action Month is Feeding America's annual awareness campaign held each September to encourage the public to join the movement to end hunger.

Feeding America is the largest national hunger relief organization in the United States. It has a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including the North Texas Food Bank, and 60,000 partner food banks and meal programs. September marks the 17th annual National Hunger Day.^th year, the organization organized the annual call to action.

“We can end hunger in America if we choose to work together, take coordinated action, and share a common belief that everyone deserves fresh, nutritious food,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “This year, during Hunger Action Month, we encourage everyone to take action. Raise your voice. Volunteer. Donate. Our individual actions may seem small, but together they become a powerful movement that can change history.”

The North Texas Food Bank is committed to easing this burden for the people of North Texas, providing them with food today and hope for tomorrow by removing the fundamental barriers to food security. Hunger Action Month is a great opportunity for the community to get involved in the fight against hunger. For a full calendar of Hunger Action Month events and engagement opportunities, visit www.ntfb.org/ham. Below are some highlights of how you can get involved this September.

The peanut butter promotion runs throughout September. Cities, neighborhoods, businesses and organizations collect jars of peanut butter that are distributed through NTFB's Food 4 Kids backpack program and the food network of 500 partner agencies and organizations. North Texas residents and businesses can support the food drive by collecting real jars of peanut butter or participating in a virtual food drive. For more information, visit www.ntfb.org/peanutbutterdrive.

Register campaigns Donations to NTFB will continue throughout September, Hunger Action Month. Donate to NTFB at checkout when you shop at Kroger, CVS, Albertsons/Tom Thumb or HEB/Central Market stores.

CANstruction Dallas will be exhibited from September 14 to October 6 at NorthPark Center. See the artistic structures built entirely from canned goods and other non-perishable foods by teams of architecture, design, engineering and construction firms. Visitors to NorthPark Center can vote for their favorite structure by donating on the team's fundraising page at www.ntfb.org/canstruction. Each $5 donation equals one vote and helps NTFB provide 15 nutritious meals.

North Texas Giving Day is September 19. Celebrate community-wide charity and donate to NTFB on North Texas Giving Day. You can schedule your donation or set up your own giving page and encourage your family and friends to donate. It's not necessary to make a large donation to make a significant impact – every dollar donated provides access to three nutritious meals, and opportunities to give money throughout the day increase the impact of your donation! For more information, visit www.ntfb.org/ntgd.

Volunteer Marathon on North Texas Giving Day on September 19th. On North Texas Giving Day, join hundreds of volunteers for a 24-hour volunteer marathon at NTFB's Perot Family Campus. NTFB will host six volunteer shifts from midnight on September 19 to midnight on September 20. Volunteers will sort and package food for hungry neighbors during six themed shifts. For more information, visit

Advocates for hunger relief. Call or email your elected officials. Explain to them why hunger matters. Contact your members of Congress and encourage them to strengthen key nutrition programs in the Farm Bill—the central federal food and agriculture law—that impacts access to nutritious food for people experiencing hunger, including seniors, children, and active military. You can find your representatives at www.ntfb.org/advocacy to stay up to date on how government programs can help close the hunger gap locally and nationally—and how you can help.

The State Fair of Texas Meeting the need The food collection begins on September 27th. The North Texas Food Bank is partnering with the State Fair of Texas again this year to collect food donations to help a growing number of residents in need. On opening day, visitors can bring two 16-ounce jars of peanut butter for a discounted admission ticket. Every Wednesday, guests who bring five cans of food will receive $5 admission. For more information, visit bigtex.com/buy-tickets/discounts.

Donate our most needed food. It is easy to send some of our much-needed items by visiting our Amazon Wish List at www.ntfb.org/amazon.

Host your own fundraiser. Learn how to run a virtual fundraiser, a virtual food drive, or a Facebook fundraiser. There are many ways to donate and engage your network.

Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone across the country to fight hunger. Every action – big and small – brings us one step closer to a North Texas where no one goes hungry. For more information on how you can get involved in the fight against hunger, visit www.ntfb.org.

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About North Texas Food Bank

North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a leading nonprofit organization fighting hunger and providing access to nutritious food for children, seniors and families in North Texas. For over 40 years, we have been a pioneer in hunger relief and are committed to ensuring that no one in our community is without access to healthy food. Our extensive network of 500 food banks and organizations, volunteers and donors enables us to deliver more than 100 million nutritious meals annually to those in need. In addition to fighting hunger, we are focused on feeding lives by providing nutrition education, investing in our network partners, developing innovative solutions to end hunger and advocating for policies that address the root causes of food insecurity.

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, which highlights our strong governance, integrity and financial stability. Additionally, we are honored to be ranked #89 on Forbes' 2023 list of the 100 Best Charities in America. As a proud member of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief network, we are committed to ensuring everyone in North Texas has the food they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. For more information, visit www.ntfb.org or connect with us on social media at @NorthTexasFoodBank.

About Feeding America 

Feeding America is committed to an America where no one goes hungry. We help tens of millions of food-insecure people get the food and resources they need to survive through a nationwide network of food banks, national food bank associations, food pantries, and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security, and work to address factors that affect food security, such as health, cost of living, and employment.

We partner with food-insecure people, policymakers, organizations, and advocates, uniting with them in a movement to end hunger. For more information, visit www.FeedingAmerica.org.

• North Texas Food Bank Peanut Butter Drive

• North Texas Food Bank Volunteer Marathon