SPH volunteers feed the hungry
By: Sally Crocker
Nearly 60 School of Public Health volunteers recently spent a day with the Tarrant Area Food Bank, where they helped provide over 18,000 meals for hungry children, families and seniors across North Texas.
SPH students, faculty and staff took on morning and afternoon shifts at the Food Bank’s Fort Worth distribution center near the UNT Health Science Center campus, where donations from local grocery stores and community members are received and processed through quality control. Foods passing inspection are organized, packed and sent to food pantries around the North Texas area.
In just three hours, SPH morning shift volunteers worked through 12,557 pounds of food products, helping to provide more than 10,464 meals for community members in need. Afternoon volunteers worked with 9,582 pounds of foods, providing for nearly 8,000 meals.
“We would not be able to do what we do without the help of so many wonderful volunteers,” said Linda Smith, Food Bank Director of Volunteer Services. “Hunger is not a challenge that is going away anytime soon, and as long as there are food donations and volunteers, we will continue to feed those in need.”
Dean Dennis Thombs said he was proud of SPH efforts to feed families in the local 13-county region.
“All of those who took the time to work a shift on our designated volunteer day deserve a big thank you,” he said. “It was both fun and interesting to learn about the Food Bank’s operations and to support their efforts, and we look forward to doing this again in the future.”
The Tarrant Area Food Bank assists more than 50,000 individuals in a typical week and more than 53,000 households per month.
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