The North Texas Food Bank has launched the “Face of Hunger” holiday-giving campaign to raise awareness that hunger affects about 700,000 North Texans. This includes more than 250,000 children, or one in every five in the region, giving the NTFB service area the fourth highest level of food-insecure children in the country.
The campaign aims to strengthen support during the holidays when the need for food assistance increases. It will run through Dec. 31.
The campaign highlights the prevalence of hunger in North Texas and the people that it impacts. Due to inflation, the food bank reports that the need for food assistance is greater now than it was at the height of the pandemic.
Since March, the food bank has seen a 17 percent increase in the number of meals it has provided through both SNAP and food distributed. The NTFB and its feeding network of more than 400 food pantries and organizations are providing access to an average of 12.3 million meals each month.
“With inflated food, gas and housing costs, our neighbors in every zip code, many of whom were struggling before the pandemic, are facing increasingly difficult choices every day – deciding whether to purchase groceries or pay for other necessities such as gas, medicine or utilities,” said Erica Yaeger, chief external affairs officer.
The food bank set a goal to raise enough funds to provide 42.6 million meals through its holiday fundraising efforts. With a matching donation opportunity from Sammons Enterprises and the Beaumont Foundation of America, all gifts will be doubled, up to $200,000. Every $1 donated will provide six meals, according to NTFB.
“Helping our neighbors is a holiday staple for the compassionate community of North Texas and the need for the gift of health and hope this holiday season is greater now than ever as we face 40-year high inflation rates,” Yaeger said.
“Join the North Texas Food Bank and our feeding network in providing nutritious meals this holiday season to children, seniors and families in our 13-county service area. The face of hunger is closer than you think.”
For more information and to donate, visit FaceOfHunger.org.
