North Texas Food Bank Honors Outstanding Supporters During Golden Fork Awards
The event recognized the Perot and Walter families, among several others, and also featured a panel on tackling food insecurity.
The North Texas Food Bank recognized its top supporters and raised awareness about the complexity of food insecurity during its 17th annual Golden Fork Awards, held Sept 23 and sponsored by LXP Industrial Trust.
Hosted at NTFB’s Perot Family Campus, the event honored the Perot and Walter families for their generational impact on food insecurity. Ryan LLC, Walmart, the Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation, volunteer David Malone and NTFB Chief External Affairs Officer Erica Yaeger also received awards.
“We are only able to do what we do in the fight against hunger because of the partnership of transformational supporters like today’s honorees,” said Trisha Cunningham, NTFB President and CEO. “While the numbers surrounding hunger can feel staggering, it’s because of the support of people and groups like these that we know we are making progress in the fight for a hunger-free, healthy North Texas.”
The event also included a panel on food insecurity that featured Danny Flores, senior manager of public affairs for hunger relief at H-E-B; Jennifer Sampson, President & CEO of the United Way Metropolitan Dallas; and Wayne White is the President and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas.
Trisha asked the panel to discuss some of the barriers to food security in North Texas, the importance of addressing child hunger and hunger in South Dallas, and about some innovative ways the community might tackle hunger.
The panelists agreed that while the needs are great—Texas currently leads the nation in hunger and the 13 counties served by the North Texas Food Bank have the fourth-highest number of food-insecure people in the U.S.—there is not one silver bullet to solving hunger. Instead, it will take the continued collaboration, focus and innovation of organizations and community members working together to efficiently distribute food while also addressing the root causes of hunger.
“There is no reason for a child, man, woman, grandmother, senior or military person to have to worry about where their next meal will come from. None,” Danny said.
The following recipients were honored during the luncheon:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Perot Family
Bette and Ross Perot Sr. never forgot what their mother, Lula May, taught them: Those who are hungry are just like us, only down on their luck. They not only continued their mother’s commitment to hunger, but they also instilled it into their own children, creating generations of hunger fighters who are transforming North Texas. It was Bette and Ross, along with the Perot Foundation, who purchased NTFB’s former warehouse on Cockrell Hill in 1987 and leased it back to the food bank for $1 a month until NTFB was able to purchase it in 2002. When NTFB embarked on a capital campaign in 2015, Ross, alongside his wife and five children, provided a generous contribution to the campaign, allowing the creation of this state-of-the-art facility, which proudly bears the Perot family name. And in 2022, as the food bank celebrated its 40th anniversary, the Perot family gave an incredible $10.5 million, $10 million of which went to help build up our endowment and ensure the North Texas Food Bank is equipped to nourish our neighbors for years to come.
Jo Curtis Inspiring Generations Award: Walter Family
Tom and Jean Walter started supporting the North Texas Food Bank 27 years ago because one of their grandsons asked them to give to the food bank instead of buying him a birthday present. That one small request ballooned into constant and transformational support from throughout their family tree. Tom and Jean have provided neighbors with access to more than 9.3 million meals since 1997 and their three sons, along with their families, are also instrumental supporters of the North Texas Food Bank. Their great niece, Haley, even works on our marketing and communications team.
Corporation of the Year: Ryan LLC
Ryan has provided access to more than 1.2 million meals since 2006 and recently contributed a generous $75,000 Delivering Hope Truck sponsorship. Ryan Global President and COO Ginny Kissling serves as Chair of NTFB’s board, and their employees demonstrate their commitment to fighting hunger by volunteering each year as part of RyanShares Day.
Tom Black Volunteer of the Year: David Malone
David is one of NTFB’s Volunteer Kernels, which is what the food bank calls its volunteer leaders. He first got involved in the fall of 2022 and quickly became a regular on the production floor. He’s given over 750 hours in the last two years and, as a kernel, he works with our staff to create fun and engaging volunteer experiences. David stepped up as a leader in the Repack Room when it opened earlier this year at NTFB, and he’s a friend to all, always bringing a smile to his volunteer shifts.
Foundation of the Year: Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation
For over 13 years, the Beasley Foundation has been a steadfast partner, generously contributing nearly $2 million in lifetime gifts to support neighbors facing hunger in North Texas. Through the continued fourth-generation family leadership, President Michael Vanderslice upholds the legacy of Theodore and Beulah by making a meaningful impact on the community and helping create a brighter future for countless families across North Texas.
Retail Partner of the Year: Walmart
Since 2010, Walmart has provided access to more than 80 million meals. Their commitment to fighting hunger is evident at both their stores and distribution centers in North Texas, and the NTFB is so thankful for their ongoing support. We truly could not do what we do in the fight against hunger without partners like Walmart.
Jan Pruitt Legacy Award: Erica Yaeger
Erica joined the NTFB in 2018, and since then she has transformed the external affairs department, increasing public support by nearly 160% thanks to her fundraising prowess, her compassionate leadership and her willingness to make bold moves and try new things. Erica promotes a culture of collaboration, commitment and learning, empowering her teams to work hard while also celebrating their successes. She is a storyteller at her core and elevates the stories of our neighbors and our partners in her fundraising efforts. Her work extends beyond the food bank to its partner agencies as she added a Network Engagement Services position that allows partners to learn about fundraising, marketing and other functions through workshops and personal coaching. What really stands out about Erica, though, is the heart she brings to everything she does.
