NTFB Raises Nearly $1.4 Million on North Texas Giving Day
650 hours were also given during the 24-hour Volunteer-a-Thon.
Nearly 3,500 people supported the North Texas Food Bank on North Texas Giving Day, Sept. 19—collectively giving close to $1.4 million and donating around 650 hours as part of the food bank’s 24-hour Volunteer-a-Thon.
“Thank you to everyone who participated in North Texas Giving Day again this year,” said Erin Fincher, senior director of Foundation Giving and Strategic Initiatives for the NTFB. “For families facing hunger, you are bringing hope to the table for a brighter tomorrow.”
With the $1,371,622 raised—the most of any participating nonprofit—the NTFB will be able to provide neighbors facing hunger with access to more than 4.1 million meals.
Along with fundraising, the day featured the NTFB’s second annual 24-hour Volunteer-a-Thon. The fun kicked off at midnight with a Taylor Swift-themed “In Our Hunger Fighting Era,” volunteer shift and continued through 11:30 p.m. with themes ranging from classic rock (“Rock Out Against Hunger”) and ‘80s/’90s Country (“Wrangle Hunger”) to a family-friendly Broadway (“Drop the Curtain on Hunger”) shift.
Nearly 250 volunteers spent time throughout the day and night sorting, packing and boxing food for distribution to NTFB’s partner food pantries and programs, including the Food 4 Kids program. In support of that initiative, volunteers prepared bags of nonperishable, kid-friendly items that will be sent home with chronically hungry students each Friday afternoon to ensure they have access to food over the weekend.
“Our teams had so much fun on North Texas Giving Day, and it was all thanks to you, our supporters!” said Kennedy Bower, NTFB Network Engagement Manager. “We are so grateful for your support to provide more than 4 million meals, on top of everyone who came out to volunteer during our 24-hour volunteer-a-thon.”
Thanks to Cruise for sponsoring the Volunteer-a-Thon and to Kroger, Albertsons, Reliant, Cisco and H-E-B employees for being among those who gave their time. Several community members, NTFB employees and NTFB Volunteer Kernels, which are volunteer leaders, also donated time during the event.
Volunteers were invited to dress based on their shift’s theme and each shift featured a specially curated playlist plus some fun décor.
All food packed and funds raised go to support the children, families and older adults in North Texas facing hunger. Texas currently leads the nation in hunger, with nearly 5 million people who are food insecure. The 13 counties served by the NTFB have the fourth-highest number of food insecure individuals in the nation, with nearly 778,000 people facing hunger, including 1 in 5 children.
Now in its 16th year, the Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day raised a record $68 million for charities across the metroplex.
“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from the North Texas community for the causes they care about,” Wayne White, CFT president and CEO said in the release. “Individuals, families, and businesses truly showed up for one another.”
