Let's Feed North Texans

Did you know that 1 in 4 Texas children don't know where their next meal is coming from? In addition, 1 in 9 Texas senior citizens will go without a meal today and 1 in 4 African American Texans go hungry every day. (Feeding Texas, 2024) United Nourishment of Texas wants to help end hunger in North Texas. To do that, we have formed a coalition with the North Texas Food Bank. Together, we can do our best to end hunger for everyone who doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. It should never have to be a choice of keeping a roof over your head or eating. United Nourishment of Texas wants to help the North Texas Food Bank reach their goals. Our initial goal is to raise $1000 towards the cause. Hopefully, we can raise much more. Together, we can make a difference. If we can raise just $1000, we can feed up to 4000 children.

REASONS TO DONATE

There are numerous reasons to donate to this cause. One reason is the development of our children. According to the World Food Programme, “Not only do the consequences of not enough – or the wrong – food cause suffering and poor health, they also slow progress in many other areas of development like education and employment. Poor and inadequate nutrition also leaves children vulnerable to diseases and illness and can cause stunted growth." (Kleitman, 2018) Another reason is to help your community. Texas families and residents are hurting. This could be your friend, your neighbor, or even your family member. In the last few years, “15.5% of households in Texas” report “a lack of consistent access to affordable and healthy food.” (North Texas Food Bank, 2023) In North Texas alone, 640000 people go hungry every day. Furthermore, we need to take care of the vulnerable members of our community. In addition to our children, our Senior Citizens, and disabled citizens are at an increased risk to be affected by hunger. For instance, 11% of our Senior Citizens must choose between food and medical care on a daily basis. (Feeding Texas, 2024) This is not the way to treat the generation that is responsible for so much good in our community. Also, according to the US Department of Agriculture, our disabled citizens face hunger at “twice the rate of their nondisabled counterparts.” (Ives-Rublee & Sloane, 2021) Imagine being in a position where working may be impossible and now food is a luxury that you often go without. A final reason to donate is this epidemic is not going away. If anything, it is getting worse. More Texans every day need help. The North Texas Food Bank gave out 77 million meals in 2019. The goal was to reach 92 million by 2025, but demand was much higher. Due to generous people like you, the North Texas Food Bank was able to match that demand and distributed nearly 137 million meals in 2022. Without donations, millions of North Texans would have gone without the basic necessity of food.

HOW WILL YOUR DONATION BE USED

Your donation will be used in several ways. As the North Texas Food Bank states, "95 percent of the resources donated to NTFB goes directly to supporting programs that provide food to children, seniors and families." (North Texas Food Bank, 2024) “A nourished community is a thriving community, and we are committed to serve as many of our neighbors in need as possible with the resources that the community makes available.” (Norsworthy, 2023) This means your donation will be used to directly fight hunger. Not only does the North Texas Food Bank provide food to children, seniors, and the community at large, they also believe in sustainability, and some of your donations will be used in their innovative garden programs. The garden programs teach North Texan’s about the impact of nutritious food and how to tend to your own garden as a sustainable resource. If you want to learn more about the garden programs, please, watch the video below. Another unique program that your donation will contribute to is the annual Kids Camp. During the kids camp, the North Texas Food Bank takes the opportunity to teach young people how to fight hunger in their neighborhood. It provides a “behind-the-scenes look at The North Texas Food Bank and includes activities related to hunger, gardening and nutrition.” (North Texas Food Bank, 2024) You can be confident that your money will be used correctly and efficiently to directly fight hunger and give North Texan’s hope for the future. “After over 40 years of feeding North Texas’ less fortunate, the organization currently serves 13 counties across North Texas, including Collin, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, Fannin, Rockwall, Hunt, Kaufman, Ellis, Navarro, Hopkins, Lamar, and Delta.” (Norsworthy, 2023)

WHY THIS MATTERS

It is heartbreaking that people go hungry in Texas. People from all walks of life are food insecure. In Texas, this affects nearly 4.6 million people. (Odom, 2023) Imagine waking up tomorrow and not knowing if you will eat today. One such Texan who was thrust into this situation is a gentleman named Anthony. Anthony was recently unemployed and was not sure where his next meal would come from. He made the decision to visit the CitySquare Food Pantry, one of the many pantries managed by the North Texas Food Bank. “One meal might seem insignificant, but to Anthony it provided critical nutrition, and gave him the encouragement needed to face another day.” (North Texas Food Bank, 2019) Anthony was struggling to keep going when he walked in to the pantry that day, but the food that he received fueled his nourishment and reignited his dreams. It gave him a reason to keep moving forward. As he stated, it helped him “physically and mentally.” (North Texas Food Bank, 2019) Imagine yourself in this situation. At your weakest, often you need your community to step up. You can be that person who steps up and helps people just like Anthony.

HELP YOUR FELLOW NORTH TEXANS

Please, donate what you can. Remember, $1 feeds 4 kids. Last year, the North Texas Food Bank provided 144 million meals to people in need. Let's ensure that we continue to help those not as fortunate. We can all make a difference today and continue to make a difference tomorrow. If you want to learn more, please visit the North Texas Food Bank website. In addition, check out some of the videos below.

References