The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is taking a major step toward reducing hunger across the region with a $1 million grant from the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation. The announcement, made June 11, will help NTFB provide 3 million meals as part of its five-year strategic initiative, Fulfilling Futures.
The goal is bold: meet at least 80 percent of the food needs in every ZIP code served by the nonprofit over the next five years.
“This support not only helps us provide nutritious meals to children, older adults and families in need — it also strengthens our new strategic plan,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, in an official statement. “As a former TI employee, I’m especially proud to see the company’s ongoing commitment to North Texas.”
Closing Meal Gaps Across North Texas
NTFB distributed more than 137 million meals last year, but, as Cunningham explained, gaps remain when hunger is viewed at the neighborhood level. The Fulfilling Futures initiative aims to close those gaps by:
- Expanding NTFB’s reach
- Strengthening partnerships
- Supporting long-term well-being through a holistic approach to hunger relief
“TI has a long-standing commitment to strengthening the communities where our employees live and work,” said Andy Smith, director of TI giving and volunteering and executive director of the TI Foundation, in the statement. “We want to help address the challenges that matter most to this region, like hunger, because tackling those issues makes our community stronger for everyone.”
A Longtime Partnership In Action
TI and the TI Foundation have supported hunger relief efforts in North Texas for years. Since 2018, the foundation has contributed more than $6 million to NTFB. In that same period, TI employees and retirees have logged more than 2,000 volunteer hours packing food and assisting in hunger relief efforts.
Recent data shows the need is growing. According to NTFB, Texas now leads the nation in hunger, with nearly 5.4 million residents experiencing food insecurity. About 33 percent are children. More than 1.3 million of those Texans live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, ranking it first for hunger in Texas and third among metro areas nationwide.
How You Can Help
NTFB has an extensive network of 500 food pantries and partner organizations. Beyond distributing food, the organization offers nutrition education and advocates for policies aimed at addressing the root causes of food insecurity.
For those looking to get involved, options include donating funds, volunteering or hosting a food drive. More information is available at ntfb.org.
“This grant is making a real difference for the 774,000 North Texans facing food insecurity,” said Cunningham. “Together, we can nourish more lives and build a stronger community.”
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