“Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive.”

Trisha Cunningham
President and CEO
North Texas Food Bank
.…on joining with Feeding America to mark September’s Hunger Action Month.

Trisha Cunningham

The North Texas Food Bank is joining with Feeding America and other member food banks to help mark Hunger Action Month all through September. Their goal: To inspire people to join the fight to end hunger and raise awareness of people experiencing food insecurity across the U.S. Food banks nationwide are working to make “a real and lasting impact on hunger in their communities,” and they’re asking for the public’s support.

This is the 16th year the annual call to action has gone out to people everywhere to do their part to help—and initiatives from the CANstruction Dallas displays at NorthPark Center to a Spread the Hope Peanut Butter Drive to North Texas Giving Day and the State Fair Food Drive can offer you ways to get involved.

“Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive, and yet the North Texas Food Bank service area is the fourth highest in the nation in food insecure people, with stark disparities persisting along racial and ethnic lines,” Cunningham said in a statement. “Joining the nationwide movement to end hunger helps ensure everyone, no matter their race, background or ZIP code, has access to the food and resources needed to thrive.” 

Per North Texas Food Bank, here are ways you can take action this month:

:: CANstruction Dallas is currently on display through September 10 at NorthPark Center. View the art-themed structures built entirely out of canned foods and other non-perishable food items by teams consisting of architecture, design, engineering and construction companies. NorthPark Center visitors can vote on their favorite structure by donating to that team’s fundraising page by visiting www.ntfb.org/canstruction. Every dollar donated equals one vote and helps the NTFB provide access to three nutritious meals.

:: Spread the Hope Peanut Butter Drive runs throughout September. Cities, neighborhoods, corporations and organizations will collect jars of peanut butter that can then be distributed through the NTFB’s Food 4 Kids backpack program and feeding network of 500 partner agencies and organizations. North Texas residents and businesses can support the food drive by collecting physical jars of peanut butter or through a virtual food drive. More information can be found at www.ntfb.org/peanutbutterdrive.

:: North Texas Giving Day is on September 21. Celebrate community-wide philanthropy and donate to NTFB on North Texas Giving Day. You can schedule your donation or set up your own fundraising page and encourage your family and friends to contribute. It is not necessary to make a large donation to have a significant impact – every $1 donated provides access to three nutritious meals and match opportunities throughout the day will further the impact of your gift! Go to www.ntfb.org/ntgd for more information.

:: Take part in Hunger Action Day on September 15. This is a day during Hunger Action Month when collective actions across the country are focused on greater impact. No action is too big or small. Sign up to volunteer at the Food Bank or a food pantry in your local community. Watch the Dallas skyline light up orange!

:: Advocate for hunger relief. Call or email your elected officials. Tell them why hunger matters and encourage them to strengthen critical nutrition programs in the 2023 Farm Bill—the nation’s centerpiece federal legislation for food and farming—that impacts access to nutritious food for people facing hunger, including seniors, children and active military members. You can find your representatives at www.ntfb.org/representatives. Visit www.ntfb.org/advocacy to stay informed of the many ways government programs can help bridge the hunger gap both locally and nationally—and how you can help.

:: Register campaigns benefiting the NTFB will be running throughout September for Hunger Action Month. Contribute to the NTFB at the checkout register when shopping at Kroger, Albertsons/Tom Thumb or H-E-B/Central Market stores.

:: The State Fair Food Drive begins on September 30. The North Texas Food Bank is partnering with the State Fair of Texas again this year to collect food donations to help feed a growing population of residents in need. On opening day, visitors can bring two 16-oz jars of peanut butter for a discounted ticket and each Wednesday, patrons who bring five cans of food will get a $5 admission.

:: Donate our most needed food. It’s easy to send a few of our most-needed items by visiting our Amazon Wishlist at www.ntfb.org/amazon

To see a full calendar of Hunger Action Month events and engagement opportunities, you can go here.

For more of who said what about all things North Texas, check out Every Last Word.