The New Year brings a fresh start and renewed hope, but the significant challenges the community has faced this year will not disappear in 2022. The complex issue of hunger existed long before the pandemic and will continue to impact North Texans into 2022 and beyond.
People often experience food insecurity on a chronic basis, and this requires continued support. The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) provides access to nutritious meals across 13 counties in North Texas, and it needs help in the New Year for the more than 800,000 people experiencing food insecurity in the region. Here are four ways to get involved in the fight against hunger in 2022.
- Donate funds. Monetary donations are the most useful and efficient way to support food banks. These donations give NTFB the flexibility and funds to respond to the highest need. Just $1 provides three meals at the Food Bank — it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference. There are options for one-time giving, monthly donations, planned giving, and tribute gifts. You can donate at ntfb.org/donate at any time.
- Donate food. Food donations are also appreciated and accepted at NTFB’s Perot Family Campus in Plano. You can find more information on NTFB’s website, including an Amazon Wishlist of most-needed items. This is particularly important for NTFB’s Food 4 Kids program and includes specific sizes of items such as peanut butter, trail mix, 100% fruit juice, and unsweetened shelf-stable milk.
- Advocate. The North Texas Food Bank’s anti-hunger mission goes beyond directly getting food to people in need. It also works to advance policies that address the complexities that can lead to hunger. In 2022, help fight hunger by calling your elected officials. Tell them you are worried about the long lines you see in the media at food bank distributions and ask them what can be done about it.
- Volunteer. Volunteers are critical to the success of the North Texas Food Bank. There are many opportunities to get involved, including packing and sorting food in its distribution center in Plano, helping in NTFB’s garden, or volunteering at one of the more than 200 Partner Agencies in the Food Bank’s feeding network. Visit www.ntfb.org/volunteer to explore available opportunities.
Learn more about how you can get involved in the fight against hunger and work toward a healthy and hunger-free North Texas in 2022 at www.ntfb.org.
