Food banks across the state of Texas have been struggling to meet a high demand caused by inflation, even with holiday campaigns in full swing.
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) has seen a 17% increase in demand for meals since March, Local Profile reported. NTFB works with a network of over 400 pantries and 200 partner agencies to provide around 12.3 million meals each month.
NTFB Senior Manager of Communications Jeff Smith told Local Profile the organization aims to make sure every North Texan can access nutritious meals.
“Access to nutritious food should never have to be a choice. Together with our feeding network, we are ensuring that our neighbors will not have to choose between buying food for their family or paying for other critical living expenses,” Smith said.
North Texans are currently spending about $325 more on food a month than this same time last year, according to Local Profile. This rise in expenses has been attributed to inflation.
Smith added that the holiday season can be harder on those already struggling. North Texans with limited resources must make tough decisions about where they put their money.
There are 700,000 people in North Texas who are not sure where their next meal will be coming from, Smith told Local Profile.
“Tragically, this includes more than 250,000 children, or one in every five in our region, giving the NTFB service area the fourth highest level of food-insecure children in the country,” Smith added. “That is unacceptable.”
The NTFB was started 40 years ago by four Dallas women: Liz Minyard, Jo Curtis, Lorraine Griffin Kircher, and Kathryn Hall. Today, its network spans 13 counties: Denton, Dallas, Rockwall, Collin, Fannin, Delta, Hopkins, Navarro, Lamar, Ellis, Grayson, Kaufman, and Hunt.
In its first year of operation in 1983, the NTFB distributed over 400,000 pounds of food.
“Today, nearly 40 years later, the NTFB is still supported by a generous and compassionate community that cares deeply about helping North Texans achieve food security,” the website shares.
The NTFB recently appeared on Forbes’ list of the top 100 charities in the U.S. for the very first time, landing at No.87, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Indicators such as the number of private donations, the charity’s total revenue, fundraising efficiency, and charitable commitment were examined in determining the ranking.
NTFB has released a new strategic plan called Nourish North Texas to help provide food to the region.