Neighbor & Partner Agency Stories
भाई बिल की मदद करने वाला हाथ
भाई बिल की मदद करने वाला हाथ
The North Texas Food Bank is proud to partner with Brother Bill’s Helping Hand in providing access to nutritious meals for our neighbors in West Dallas since 1986. While this area has recently experienced increased development and growth, many neighbors continue to struggle with food insecurity. Economic growth is not guaranteed to translate across communities, but through our work with Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, our neighbors in West Dallas who struggle to find their next meal have a resource for nutritious food in addition to other critical services and programs.
“Many of our neighbors first came for food,” said Adair Neely, Director of Programs and Operations at Brother Bill’s Helping Hand. “And then they heard about our financial literacy education programs, our health clinic, and other free resources. Many have now completed job training or learned English. But they first came for food. They had to be fed first.”
The North Texas Food Bank works alongside more than 200 partner agencies to provide access to nutritious food at hundreds of feeding locations throughout our 13-county service area. Our work ensures partner agencies have the capacity to provide an abundance of healthy foods including fresh produce.
At Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, our food-insecure neighbors in West Dallas not only receive access to a free in-house grocery store but a multitude of wrap-around services and programs that focus on fighting the causes and effects of poverty and food insecurity. From a health clinic, job training program, English lessons, health and wellness classes, a financial literacy program and more, Brother’s Bills Helping Hand is a holistic community center striving to serve the whole family.
"हम सिर्फ उत्तरी टेक्सास फूड बैंक द्वारा प्रदान किए गए थोक भोजन के बिना जीवित नहीं रह सकते," नीली ने कहा। "और हमारे पास सफलताओं की कहानी है, हमारे पड़ोसी आत्मनिर्भर और संपन्न होते हैं - लेकिन वे पहले हमारे किराने की दुकान पर आए।"
Neighbor Brandie
Brandie & Amazing Grace
Brandie is a hardworking single parent of two growing children. Like many of our neighbors in North Texas, she was temporarily out of work due to the pandemic.
Thankfully, she knew she could get help at Amazing Grace Food Pantry, one of the North Texas Food Bank’s Partner Agencies. Since 2009, the North Texas Food Bank has partnered with Amazing Grace to distribute over 5.5 million pounds of food to neighbors like Brandie.
Brandie had come to Amazing Grace for food assistance three years ago. Then, when things got better, she came and volunteered to give back. Now she’s turning to them once again for help.
“Every little bit helps,” Brandie says. She is especially grateful for the fresh fruit and variety of protein she receives at the food pantry. “My son needs to have a healthy diet, and I really like that everything I get here is nutritious,” she shares.
It is expensive to feed her growing children, ages 5 and 11. While Brandie is grateful to be back to work, she still struggles to make ends meet on her income alone. Organizations like Amazing Grace often mean the difference between food insecurity and food security, and NTFB’s feeding network works to ensure that these hunger-fighting hubs are distributed widely through our North Texas community.
Benaye Wadkins Chambers
Benaye Wadkins Chambers, President & CEO, Crossroads Community Services
NTFB partners with two local organizations that serve as NTFB Hubs: Crossroads Community Services and Sharing Life Community Outreach. Our Hubs are certified to redistribute NTFB food to smaller organizations, known as Community Distribution Partners so that they can in turn distribute it to their neighbors. This unique model allows smaller organizations to provide high-quality food assistance at the lowest possible cost while helping to fulfill the need for food assistance in high-need communities.
In its 20-year history, Crossroads Community Services has grown and evolved – and so has its relationship with the North Texas Food Bank.
Founded in 2001, Crossroads started as a small ministry of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas, supported by donations to the church and the compassion and hard work of volunteers. Over the years, the agency began receiving food donations from NTFB, and in 2005, Crossroads hit a significant milestone – distributing 1 million pounds of food. Four years later, it would become the first NTFB partner agency to distribute 2 million pounds of food in one year.
“NTFB helps us accomplish our mission as our primary resource for food,” said Benaye Wadkins Chambers, President & CEO of Crossroads. “It is because of NTFB’s ability to connect to large-scale food donors that we have access to a vast inventory through which we are better able to provide nutritious foods to communities with high needs.”
Crossroads' experience with the Hub and Spoke model of distribution prompted the NTFB to choose Crossroads to operate as their “pilot hub” in 2011, and in 2019, NTFB formally partnered in the Redistribution Organization (RDO) relationship. The agency also began operating out of the space that once housed NTFB.
“Our partnership is financially impactful as we are able to source these large quantities and varieties of food at little to no cost to Crossroads’ partners or clients. Instead of spending time networking, buying food, or asking for donations, we can focus efforts on distribution and impact of direct services providing long-term sustainability for clients.”
While the organization has changed over the years, this commitment to client-centered work has never wavered.
“My favorite part of my role is telling the real-life story of our clients. It is important to me that everyone sees our clients for who they really are. They look like you and me. In fact, on any given day, it could be you or me.”
Tracy Eubanks
Tracy Eubanks, CEO, Metrocrest Services
With a relationship that goes back more than 30 years, मेट्रोक्रेस्ट सेवाएं and the North Texas Food Bank have grown alongside each other.
Metrocrest is a partner agency based in Farmers Branch and serves individuals, families, and seniors living in surrounding areas. In addition to the food pantry, programs include employment counseling, financial literacy education, senior services, emergency rent, and utility assistance – critical services in providing hope for tomorrow by removing barriers to food security.
“The Metrocrest Services pantry began to grow dramatically about 10 years ago. NTFB was able to support the growth through increased food distribution, more deliveries to our location, and providing an abundance of fresh and healthy options,” said CEO Tracy Eubanks. “We have also benefitted as NTFB has grown more sophisticated in its purchasing, warehousing, and overall logistics.”
Metrocrest is committed to the Working Families Success model, a holistic approach to assisting its neighbors regain economic independence. Most families visit Metrocrest initially due to a crisis, such as a possible eviction or utility disconnection. But there is also a food insecurity component. According to Eubanks, NTFB’s commitment to providing quality, healthy, and ample supply of food allows us to address the crisis leading to a broader relationship that includes financial education and employment services along with education and training. “Without the nourishing food from NTFB, the model would be less effective.”
To further support the agency’s growth, the Food Bank also awarded a capacity-building grant to Metrocrest to contribute toward the purchase of a refrigerated truck and the construction of a food pantry/warehouse in what will be Metrocrest’s new 48,000 sq. ft. Center for Community Support.
“Generous support from donors including the North Texas Food Bank will help create a place where together we can improve the lives of our friends and neighbors here in the Metrocrest community. While the hope is that in 40 years the need for a food pantry is minimal, we know that NTFB will be with us, side by side, for the entire journey.”
Neighbor Glenn
Glenn & CitySquare
Food banks are powered through collaboration, and without the collective support and partnership from many, the North Texas Food Bank would be unable to provide access to healthy food each day to our hungry neighbors in need. Within our 13-county service area, our united team of hunger fighters is bound by the belief that our neighbors do not have to be hungry, and together, we can end hunger.
Our collaboration and partnership with CitySquare demonstrates what is possible when our hungry neighbors receive the nourishment needed to plan beyond finding their next meal. Many neighbors who first came to CitySquare for food assistance have since sought other CitySquare support services from job training to housing and healthcare.
During a recent visit to the CitySquare Food Pantry, we met Glenn, who wanted to share his experience. Throughout his life, Glenn has struggled with health issues, and he has often had difficulty paying for both medicine and nutritious foods.
“I just don’t have enough money to pay for it all. And instead of just eating rice and beans, and stuff like that, I’m able to eat other healthy foods too. Thankfully, the other day I was able to get cases of eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, and peppers. I was able to make casseroles and put them in the freezer to have even more meals.”
At the CitySquare Food Pantry, it’s not uncommon to see neighbors who just shopped for food from the pantry, put on a volunteer vest, and help their fellow neighbors. Glenn also volunteers in the pantry and aims to share encouragement when he can. Like so many neighbors, CitySquare has provided him with critical support, and he is thankful for the opportunity to express his gratitude.
“I come in, volunteer, and I’m walking people through when they shop. We have a good time. We joke around, dance, and it’s a lot of fun.”
Teresa Jackson
Teresa Jackson, CEO, Sharing Life Community Outreach
NTFB partners with two local organizations that serve as NTFB Hubs: Crossroads Community Services and Sharing Life Community Outreach. Our Hubs are certified to redistribute NTFB food to smaller organizations, known as Community Distribution Partners so that they can in turn distribute it to their neighbors. This unique model allows smaller organizations to provide high-quality food assistance at the lowest possible cost while helping to fulfill the need for food assistance in high-need communities.
Teresa Jackson and her agency, Sharing Life Community Outreach, first got connected to the Food Bank in 1999 when Teresa called to inquire about becoming a partner agency. More than 20 years later, Sharing Life is a proud member of the North Texas Food Bank Feeding Network, reaching thousands of food-insecure North Texans every year through their partnership.
Sharing Life was a small pantry when its collaboration with NTFB first began in 2000. In calendar year 2021, it saw as much growth as distributing 11 million pounds of food, equaling more than 9 million meals!
“The Sharing Life mission and the mission of NTFB overlap. Our relationship is symbiotic; we both need the other to function well,” said Jackson.
Jackson’s agency strives to demonstrate compassion in every interaction with its clients. She loves the work she does and the people she serves through Sharing Life and is always looking for ways to use technology and innovation to up the agency’s game.
Seeing the relief on the faces of the people the agency serves and just being able to say ‘yes’ to people in need of food are two of Jackson’s favorite things about her job.
“Yes! We have plenty of food including fresh produce and protein items. Yes! We have funding to help you avoid eviction or utility disruption this month. Yes! We offer education that will help you realize your goals of living wage employment, financial literacy, and stability,” said Jackson.
Jackson hopes that in another 40 years’ time, there is no longer a need for food services. If there is, she hopes her agency is fully utilizing technology to make waiting in line a thing of the past. She hopes there are enough dairy products, protein sources, and other nutrients to fully fill orders, and that people can find one-stop-shops for all their needs so that transportation and mobility issues are no longer barriers to receiving help.
Neighbor Sylvia
सिल्विया
महामारी हमारे वरिष्ठ नागरिक पड़ोसियों के लिए विशेष रूप से कठिन रही है, जो COVID-19 से उच्च चिकित्सा जोखिमों और अन्य चुनौतियों का सामना करते हैं जो पौष्टिक भोजन तक पहुंच को जटिल बनाती हैं।
एक मधुमेह रोगी के रूप में जिसे उच्च रक्तचाप भी है, सिल्विया को महामारी के दौरान विशेष रूप से सावधान रहने की आवश्यकता है। उसने अपनी सैर सीमित कर दी और अपनी कई नियमित गतिविधियाँ करना बंद कर दिया। एक निश्चित आय पर होने और चिकित्सा खर्चों में वृद्धि के कारण उसे स्वस्थ रहने के लिए आवश्यक पौष्टिक भोजन प्राप्त करना विशेष रूप से चुनौतीपूर्ण हो गया।
Sylvia was able to find food assistance for the first time at the North Texas Food Bank’s 2020 Thanksgiving Mobile Pantry distribution at Fair Park. Along with our partners, the Food Bank distributed turkeys and other food so our neighbors like Sylvia could have a holiday meal.
"फूड बैंक मुझे इस थैंक्सगिविंग में मदद करेगा क्योंकि आपके बिना मेरे पास एक नहीं होगा। यह एक आशीर्वाद है और मैं आभारी हूं।"
Neighbor Ted
Ted
Times were tough for Ted. He worked tirelessly to support his family of six, but his wife’s medical bills had hit them hard. After the rent was paid, there was barely enough left over to put gas in their car, let alone buy groceries.
His heart hurt to think his two young grandchildren who lived with him might go hungry. So, when a friend invited Ted to visit an NTFB Partner Agency food pantry he felt hopeful.
“I wasn’t looking for a handout,” Ted explains. “I was looking for a hand-up.”
At Amazing Grace Food Pantry, Ted received meat, fresh fruits, vegetables, and canned goods — a blessing for someone who didn’t know where his grandkids’ next meal would come from.
“The food we received was a lifesaver,” Ted says. “My wife needs dialysis three days a week, in addition to our regular doctor visits. The food pantry helped us. Anyone who needs assistance should come here.”
Dave Woodyard
Dave Woodyard, Catholic Charities of Dallas
As the leader of a large multiservice agency, Dave Woodyard, CEO of Catholic Charities of Dallas (CCD), enjoys finding great partners with a shared vision and collectively executing to accomplish their mutual goals of serving reducing poverty in North Texas.
For its Hunger/Food mission, this partner is the North Texas Food Bank. CCD is one of NTFB’s largest Partner Agencies serving nine of the 13 counties that NTFB covers. Dave is grateful for the relationship that has allowed them to broaden their reach.
“To have distributed under 200,000 pounds of food in 2016 to over 7 million pounds last year is truly remarkable for CCD, yet nearly impossible without NTFB’s supply commitment, capital contributions, and energetic collaboration.”
CCD set up its first Client Choice Pantry in Lancaster, Texas, a known food desert, with NTFB’s support. It also has a fleet of mobile pantry trucks to further its impact. “With the success of each step and NTFBs willingness to partner, CCD has pushed hard to serve more, serve more broadly and in much greater volumes.”
As Dave looks ahead to NTFB’s next 40 years, he looks forward to continuing the journey of growth together.
“We hope that NTFB continues to thrive and grow and that CCD is there to grow our impact instep to our shared communities of need.”