Our Interfaith Harvest Food Pantry is often the first contact made with a client. Food Pantry clients are families in crisis who are unable to put food on their tables. While providing food assistance, the Center can assess client needs and match them with programs and services offered by the Center or with one of the collaborative partners or partner church congregations. Our Pantry feeds individuals of all ages. More than half of our Food Pantry clients are children.
To stock the Food Pantry primarily, we utilize food purchased from the North Texas Food Bank. In addition, every other Wednesday, the Food Bank sends produce to be distributed as well. Our partner churches, girl scout troops, boy scout troops, local schools and other community servants have also been diligent in hosting food drives to give our families even more good food.
In 2008, the food pantry served approximately 4860 individuals. That is an average of 400 people per month. At months end in January 2009 we had already served over 700. With an uncertain economy and an increasing unemployment rate, we will be depending on our donors now, more than ever.
Hunger Fact Sheet
From the North Texas Food Bank
NEED:In the 13 North Texas counties served by NTFB, 692,028 individuals live below the federal poverty level.1 76% of client households served by NTFB feeding programs have an income below the federal poverty level.2 Texas leads the nation with the highest percentage of families who are “food insecure.”3 81% of the households served by feeding programs are “food insecure.”4 The majority of NTFB feeding programs saw an increase in the number of clients served from 2001 to 2005.5 NTFB served an estimated 262,000 separate individuals in 2005, compared to 197,674 in 2001.6 40% of the households served by NTFB feeding programs have at least one employed adult.7 Amongst NTFB clients, 51% must choose between food or paying utilities; 46% must choose between food or paying for housing; 39% must choose between food, medications, or medical care.8 For Texans who receive Food Stamps, the average monthly benefit per person is $85.109; for households served by NTFB feeding programs, who receive Food Stamps, the benefit is exhausted after an average of 2.5 weeks.10
SERVE:Share the message – Tell a friend about the need and the NTFB. Share your talents – Volunteer at food distribution sites, events or at the warehouse. Sponsor a food drive – Host a traditional or virtual on-line food drive at work, or with your faith, school, or civic group. Invite us to speak – To your civic, professional, school or faith group.
1 Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller; Winter 2001-02 County Population Forecast. U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey 2004. Federal Poverty Level for a family of four is $20,000.
2 Mathematica Policy Research Inc.; Hunger in America 2006
3 Food insecurity is defined as a family being uncertain of having, or being unable to acquire, enough food for all household members because they have insufficient money and other resources for food. U.S. Department of Agriculture; Household Food Security in the United States 2004
4 Mathematica Policy Research Inc.; Hunger in America 2006
Our Interfaith Harvest Food Pantry is often the first contact made with a client. Food Pantry clients are families in crisis who are unable to put food on their tables. While providing food assistance, the Center can assess client needs and match them with programs and services offered by the Center or with one of the collaborative partners or partner church congregations. Our Pantry feeds individuals of all ages. More than half of our Food Pantry clients are children. 
