On May 18, The Salvation Army Inspiring Hope Luncheon returned to Tarrant County after being canceled for the past two years. The event is hosted by The Salvation Army of North Texas and the Dallas Cowboys annually, according to the event announcement.
The Inspiring Hope Luncheon is held to raise funding to support resources for North Texans facing homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Efforts will aid Salvation Army programs and corps community centers across Tarrant County.
“We are honored to be able to gather in-person again for such an important fundraising event with the help of our friends at the Dallas Cowboys,” the area commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas, Major Todd Hawks, said in the announcement.
“Events like these are critical for The Salvation Army to raise awareness of the needs facing our most vulnerable neighbors. Thanks to the generosity of our advocates, partners, and donors, we are able to provide shelter and support services across Tarrant County all year long. We encourage North Texans to join us at AT&T Stadium in May or to make a donation to make a difference,” Hawks added.
The 2022 event was held in Arlington at the AT&T Stadium and featured Drew Pearson, a former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, as the keynote speaker.
“‘Hut, Hut!’ Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Legend Drew Pearson kicked off the Inspiring Hope Luncheon today at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,” The Salvation Army of North Texas shared on Facebook.
Pearson, part of the Class of 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame, is also a motivational speaker and author of Remembering Texas Stadium. According to The Salvation Army, he has a long history of volunteering with the organization and serving the entire North Texas community.
The Dallas Cowboys and the family of their owner, Jerry Jones, have been doing outreach work in the North Texas community for 31 years, the team’s website states. During that time, they have primarily focused on working with The Salvation Army.
“The Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army have had a long-standing tradition of partnership,” the site reads. It notes that “through the years [they] have been able to strengthen their reach and community impact with a wide variety of community programs and events in tandem with various corporate partners.”
“Partner integration was a key component of maximizing volunteer efforts and community engagement,” it continues, “while strengthening the relationships between each partner, the Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army.”
According to Fort Worth Business, last year, The Salvation Army provided more than $9 million in financial assistance, served over 11 million meals, and comforted 84,000 people through spiritual support.