Nourishing the Future
NTFB ’ s child programs ensure the 1 in 5 children facing hunger in North Texas have access to the nutritious food they need to learn and grow .
Catherine , a Dallas ISD school counselor who facilitates an elementary school NTFB pantry , says monthly food distributions are critical for student success . “ I feel they come happier and pay attention better and aren ’ t so worried about where their next meal will come from ( after a distribution ),” she says .
Without consistent access to nutritious food , children cannot adequately learn and grow . NTFB distributed 40 million physical meals last fiscal year to children in North Texas . That was done through our partner agencies as well as 41 School Pantry sites , including 10 established in FY24 . It also includes our Food 4 Kids program , which provides chronically hungry students at 251 campuses with bags of non-perishable , kid-friendly food to take home each weekend .
Those programs are crucial for parents like Tinita . A veteran who lives with PTSD , Tinita receives disability but says even with the income she makes as a notary , she doesn ’ t have enough to pay for rent , utilities and groceries . “ There have been times when I haven ’ t eaten or have eaten the bare minimum so that he can eat ,” she says , of her 5-year-old son . She ’ s pursuing a bachelor ’ s degree so her family will have more stability , but says she is grateful NTFB is there to help for now . “ I ’ m so thankful . I ’ m just really thankful ,” she says .
Page 10 Annual Report 2024