Children’s Health Recognized for Strong Support of North Texas Food Bank through School Pantry

Children’s Health supports families facing hunger through School Pantry at Buckner Terrace Montessori.

Students and families at Buckner Terrace Montessori will continue to have reliable access to nutritious food through their campus thanks to a collaboration between Children’s Health and North Texas Food Bank (NTFB).

Children’s Health has long been a supporter of NTFB and its work to fill the gap for children facing hunger. This year, it directed its donation toward Buckner Terrace Montessori’s School Pantry as an extension of the work the hospital is already doing to support the well-being of children and families at the campus.

Prior to the School Pantry, Children’s Health already was deeply connected to Buckner Terrace Montessori through its school-based Telemedicine and Medical Explorer’s Day programs. It was when they learned Buckner Terrace was also a partner of NTFB—where Children’s Health has supported over 1 million meals—that the health system knew they wanted to support families at the school in another way.

The Buckner Terrace Montessori School Pantry is one of over 40 in NTFB’s network. The pantries are meant to provide direct and consistent access to nutritious food for families who are facing hunger, with the ultimate goal of not only nourishing children but also equipping them to succeed in the classroom.

Decades of clinical research show that reliable access to healthy food is foundational to a child’s development, growth, ability to learn and overall well-being.

The Children’s Health 2025 Beyond ABC report found that nearly 1 in 5 Texas children experience food insecurity. And data from Feeding America shows that in Dallas County, nearly 162,400 children, or 1 in 4, face hunger.

Said Trisha Cunningham, NTFB President and CEO, “We are deeply grateful to Children’s Health for their longstanding relationship and for this critical support of Buckner Terrace Montessori’s School Pantry. Having access to nutritious food is crucial for children to learn, grow and thrive. We’re only able to do what we do in the fight against child hunger because of the support of organizations like Children’s Health.”

A leader from Children’s, Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of Health Equity, also recently joined NTFB’s Advisory Council.