North Texas Food Bank’s “Feed the Need” Drive Kicks Off at State Fair Friday

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – The North Texas Food Bank will be set up at the State Fair this weekend in an effort to collect donations and raise money to help feed a growing population of residents in need.

It’s part of a 30-year partnership between the food bank and the fair, but this year the need is even greater due to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hunger is no longer hidden…it’s exposed. In fact, 40 percent of those seeking hunger relief assistance during the pandemic were looking for help for the first time,” said NTFB Chief External Affairs Officer Erica Yeager.

This year, patrons are asked to bring two jars of peanut butter in exchange for a $10 admission ticket. On Wednesdays, patrons who bring five cans of food will get a $5 admission.

Yeager said each donation has a major impact on someone suffering hunger in silence.

“There might be a parent who can rest a little easier that night because they can provide for their children. Their might be a child who is able to learn and thrive and grow in the classroom because they had a nutritious breakfast. There’s a senior who is not having to make a hard choice between paying for medicine or utilities or food. It’s important to remember at the end of the day who we are serving because they are at the heart of all that we do,” she said.

During the 2019 State Fair, the food bank collected more than 325,000 pounds of food. Even during last year’s drive-thru event put in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Fair gifted $25,000 of its proceeds to the North Texas Food Bank.

This year’s drive is part of a historic plan called “Nourish North Texas” to raise $500 million in food and funds. That figure includes money to be put towards operating costs of the food bank and its partner organizations, $300 million to be put towards food purchases and an endowment.

“If anything, COVID really illustrated how quickly the economic landscape can shift and we want to make sure we’re always in a position to help our hungry neighbors,” said Yeager.

Click here if you wish to donate to the North Texas Food Bank.

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