Biggest Loser Season 7 Contestant Abby Rike Visits The North Texas Food Bank!

January 22, 2010 at 10:00 am (Uncategorized)
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Abby Rike, contestant from NBC’s The Biggest Loser, joined us at the Food Bank on 1/20 to help raise awareness for the Pound For Pound Challenge.

Rike, a North Texas native, overcame the unbelievable tragedy of losing her husband and two children in a car accident in 2006. After joining the cast of The Biggest Loser, Abby lost over 100 lbs, and told us that she feels “great.”

While she was here, our Public Relations Manager, Paige Phelps, took her on a tour of the warehouse. Abby marveled at the size of our 72,000 square foot warehouse, was excited about the Food 4 Kids program, and stopped by to chat with some participants in the Texas Second Chance program.

The Texas Second Chance program, coordinated with Dawson State Prison, provides job training opportunities for incarcerated women. When walking through the warehouse, Paige introduced Abby to these ladies, and their excitement was palpable! Abby chatted with the women for a few minutes, and gave them inspiration on making good choices once they are released, saying “every day is a new day. If you messed up yesterday, start again today. Life is about the choices you make. You can make good choices, or you can make bad choices. But every day is a fresh start, a chance to start all over again.” After hearing Rike’s words, many of the ladies were obviously affected – some with tears in their eyes.

Abby was also on hand to make a video encouraging YOU to join the Pound For Pound Challenge. The Challenge, working in conjunction with The Biggest Loser, encourages us to lose weight, get healthy, and feed the hungry in the process! For every pound you pledge to lose, General Mills will donate 14 cents to Feeding America – the cost of delivering one pound of food to a local pantry.

Check out this video of Abby here at the Food Bank! Then, log on to www.pfpchallenge.com to join her!

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Nick Jonas Gives To The North Texas Food Bank!

January 14, 2010 at 4:37 pm (Food 4 Kids, In the News, Volunteer)
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Nick Jonas and Serena Pruitt Assemble Bags of Food 4 Kids

The North Texas Food Bank rang in the New Year with Mr. President himself, Nick Jonas. Just hours before he took the stage with the Administration on the opening night of his worldwide tour, Jonas spent a little time in our warehouse taking a tour, listening to a nutrition education class, and interviewing with NBC’s The Biggest Loser.

Much to the excitement of our 140 volunteers from Kroger and Chase, Jonas joined them on the Food 4 Kids line, assembling bags of healthy snacks for hungry North Texas kids to eat on the weekends. Then, with a group of kid volunteers, Jonas headed to the Community kitchen to learn a lesson in healthy eating from Nutrition Education Manager Katherine Lindholm.

Food Bank President and CEO Jan Pruitt’s granddaughter Serena , who joined us at the Food Bank for the festivities, told The Dallas Morning News that Jonas “inspires a lot of kids, including myself. He knows his rights and his wrongs, and he knows that other kids don’t have what he has. And he’s thankful for what he has.” Pruitt hopes that Jonas’ appearance at the Food Bank will inspire future generations of philanthropists to fight hunger.

NBC’s The Biggest Loser was on hand to help raise awareness for the Pound For Pound Challenge. For every pound pledged, General Mills will donate 14 cents, or the cost of delivering one pound of groceries, to Feeding America.

Before he left for sound check at the House of Blues, Jonas spoke to the crowd and thanked them for their service. He also spoke about the importance of young people getting involved and contributing to causes like fighting hunger.

Much to the surprise of our staff, Nick made a $25,000 donation to the Food Bank from the Jonas Brothers’ Children for the Children foundation after a brief consultation with his father. The youngest of the JoBros told Dallas Morning News reporter Diane Jennings “If there’s something I can do to help – volunteer here today or giving a financial gift – that’s something I can do.”

Nick’s donation will help provide meals for 100,000 people in the North Texas area.

Learn more about the Pound For Pound Challenge

Learn more about Food 4 Kids

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North Texas Food Bank Provides “Food 4 Kids” While School Is Out With Variety Of New Summer Meal Programs

June 9, 2009 at 2:09 pm (Food 4 Kids, Press Release)
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Organization Announces Urgent Fundraising Goal to Meet Rising Demand During Recession

DALLAS (June 9, 2009) — Summer is here, but not every child has been looking forward to this time of year. Once school is out, many kids who depend on free or reduced-price meal programs may be left wondering what they will eat. The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is working to meet this important need with the launch of new summer children’s programs that will provide thousands of nutritious meals during the next three months. The organization is also calling for donations to help keep up with the rising demand from food pantries and other agencies during the recession, forcing it to cut back on new food purchases.

The NTFB has developed the new and ramped-up children’s meal programs in response to increasing community need and to help families during these tough economic times. Among the new programs announced today at an event at Voice of Hope Ministries, one of the 900+ programs that receives food through the NTFB:

Summer Lunch Box – A new pilot program reaching kids through various neighborhood locales (cold lunches delivered 5 days a week to distribution sites in underserved areas)

Food 4 Kids – First time summer extension of popular school-year backpack snack program consisting of daily (weekend snacks distributed through summer school)

Kids Cafe – Significantly expanded hot meal distribution through summer community programs such as YMCAs and organizations such as Voice of Hope Ministries The necessity of the new programs is all to real here in North Texas. New government data ranks Texas as the highest state for childhood food insecurity, with one in five Texas children struggling with hunger, even before the recession began. Meanwhile, NTFB food distribution to Member Agencies is already up 14 percent for the year.

While the children’s meal programs were made possible by a generous donation, the NTFB is still struggling to meet the day-to-day needs of its Member Agencies during the recession. The organization is working to raise a minimum of $400,000 in June to keep up with current demand.

“There is an urgent need for funds and food right now. As we enter the summer after months of increased demand, we’re now cutting back on purchasing staple items such as beans and other protein sources, as well as canned vegetables and fruit. We may have to cut milk purchases by late summer”, says Jan Pruitt, NTFB president and CEO. “Hunger does not take a summer vacation, so we are grateful to be able to help provide more kids with nutritious meals through our expanded children’s programs. But we ask supporters to continue to give generously so that we can help keep food on plates for North Texas families, seniors and children.”

Edward Franklin, president and CEO of Voice of Hope Ministries, which feeds 275 hot meals to children through Kids Cafe each day, says, “Many families are struggling during these tough times and we are blessed to be able to partner with the North Texas Food Bank to make sure that our students receive nutritious meals this summer. No child deserves to go to bed hungry.”

Also taking part at today’s program launch event, Preston Pearson, former Dallas Cowboys star and longtime NTFB supporter echoed the importance of giving back to the community.

“At tough times like this, it is vital for people to come together and help where they can,” says Pearson. “We hope North Texans will give of time and money to provide families in need an extra hand this summer and year-round.”

As part of its summer fundraising efforts, the NTFB has launched an aggressive campaign to help raise both awareness and much-needed dollars. Even a small donation makes a difference, as a dollar will provide four meals for the hungry. The campaign features billboard, radio and online PSAs with the touching stories of today’s hungry.

“While we typically receive 47 percent of our annual donations during the winter holiday season, the recession has made the need for year-round giving all the more urgent. We hope the summer campaign will bring the issue of hunger and our important mission to the forefront for the community,” says Pruitt.

Supporters can learn more about the new children’s meal programs, the summer awareness campaign, or make donations of funds or bulk food by visiting ntfb.org.

About North Texas Food Bank The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Close the Gap is the NTFB’s 3-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually. Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a certified member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network). Last year 26 million meals were distributed. Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 50,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry. Out of every dollar donated, 97 cents goes directly to hunger relief programs. To learn more about NTFB, visit ntfb.org.

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Media Contacts:
Tresa Hardt or Colleen Petersen
Lovell Public Relations
214-395-1918 (cell) or 972-788-4511 (ofc)

Amanda O’Neal
North Texas Food Bank
214-347-9593

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North Texas Food Bank Distribution Rises, Revealing New Story Of Hunger

May 27, 2009 at 2:43 pm (Press Release)
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Hunger is not a new issue, but it now has a new story. As the unemployment rate continues to climb, thousands of North Texans who never dreamed they would need help from a food bank are now having a hard time putting food on the table for the first time, in the wake of layoffs, lost savings and other financial hardships during the recession. The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is launching its first-ever summer awareness and fundraising campaign to help bolster public support and meet the growing community need.

Overall, the NTFB has distributed 3 million more meals this year compared to last year. Additionally, in the last six months member food pantries and other agencies to which the NTFB supplies food have seen a significant 35 percent jump in the number of new clients reaching out for help for the first time – - a possible indicator of how the economic downturn is impacting the middle income and working poor.

Starting this month, the organization is launching an aggressive campaign to help raise awareness and much needed funds. A first-of-its-kind summer fundraising focus for the NTFB, the campaign features billboard, radio and online PSAs with the touching new stories of today’s hunger, such as:

Twins at 24. Single mom at 27. Hungry Today.
Promoted at 29. Laid off at 34. Hungry Today.
Empty Nest at 57. Empty Pantry at 84. Hungry Today.

See the billboards here.

The PSAs also point out the hard-hitting and often surprising facts of the North Texas hungry. For example, 40 percent of households served by the NTFB have at least one employed adult.

“These new stories of hunger may be outside the stereotype, but they are all too real. We are urging the community to help out now more than ever, as the recession hits home for our neighbors – - the workers who once had steady jobs and find themselves suddenly out of work, or the single mothers who are scrambling to earn enough to put food on the table for their children,” explains NTFB President and CEO Jan Pruitt. “Whether a one-time donation or starting a virtual food drive through our Web site, everyone can help make a difference. Even just $1 feeds four hungry North Texans.”

Pruitt applauds both individual donations and corporate support for helping the NTFB to purchase and supply more food to the growing number of children, families and seniors who need food assistance, but points out that the usual lull in summer giving could impact services going forward.

“Hunger does not take a summer vacation,” explains Pruitt, “While we typically receive 47 percent of annual donations during the winter holiday season, the recession has made the need for year-round giving all the more urgent. We hope the summer campaign will bring the issue of hunger and our important mission to the forefront for the community.”

The summer campaign, developed by Dallas-based branding and creative agency RSW Creative, is part of NTFB’s new three-year Close the Gap initiative to unite the community in narrowing the food gap. Campaign billboards will run in high-profile locations such as the North Dallas Tollway at LBJ Freeway and Trinity Mills. PSAs will also run online and on local radio stations. Supporters can learn more about the campaign, make tax-deductible donations or find out about volunteer opportunities by visiting ntfb.org.

About North Texas Food Bank: The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Close the Gap is the NTFB’s 3-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually. Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a certified member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network). Last year 26 million meals were distributed. Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 50,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry. Out of every dollar donated, 97 cents goes directly to hunger relief programs. To learn more about NTFB, visit ntfb.org.

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Across North Texas, nation, more plan to give back on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 16, 2009 at 3:03 pm (Events)
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11:07 PM CST on Thursday, January 15, 2009

By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News
samhodges@dallasnews.com

Bryan French and some other regulars at the Sunshine Club, an Arlington bar, decided to answer the call of President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, to perform public service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

But when they went to a national Web site listing Martin Luther King Jr. Day service opportunities, they found none in Arlington.

So they thought up their own. They decided they would help a needy family with food, clothes, house repairs — whatever was most pressing. French listed their event on the Web site (usaservice.org), asking for volunteers.

“We figured we’d have the five of us, and maybe a couple of more,” he said.

But as of late this week, more than 70 people had signed up. Mission Arlington, a local charity, has agreed to identify at least one and possibly two families for the swelling group to help Monday.

“We think this is great,” said Tillie Burgin, executive director of Mission Arlington.

Across North Texas and the rest of the country, Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an occasion for service appears to be benefiting from the Obamas’ attention.

Since 1994, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has had an official service emphasis — something requested by Coretta Scott King, wife of the slain civil-rights leader. Last year, about 5,000 projects, involving about 500,000 volunteers, were identified by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service as being related to the holiday.

This year, the Obamas have publicly appealed for volunteerism on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including in a video by Michelle Obama that has been widely e-mailed. And they have announced they will spend part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day — the day before the presidential inauguration — doing as-yet-unspecified volunteer work in Washington, D.C.

With this year’s heightened publicity, about 7,200 Martin Luther King Jr. Day projects have been announced, and the number of volunteers could climb into the millions, said Sandy Scott, spokesman for the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“We’re thrilled with the president-elect making service a centerpiece of his inauguration,” Scott said.

North Texas Food Bank and MediSend International, a Dallas-based charity, asked for help on the Web site. Both quickly got all they could handle. “We’re limited to 50 volunteers, and we had those in a heartbeat,” said Lou Ann York of MediSend, which provides medical equipment to hospitals in the world’s poorest countries.

Still looking for volunteers, but expecting a good turnout, is Erika Meredith, outreach committee president at Roe’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Old East Dallas. On Saturday morning, she’ll lead an effort to provide food and clothing to the homeless around Fair Park.

“It’s a good start for Obama to do this, and it also represents what Martin Luther King was about,” she said.

Passionate supporters of Obama and the Democratic Party seem to account for much of the bump in service activity.

Richard Harwood is a Democratic Party precinct chair in Carrollton, and he sees MLK Day service as a way of living out Democrats’ “party of the people” ideal. He’ll be among the volunteers at MediSend.

Casey Lloyd volunteered in the Obama campaign and decided to engage fellow East Dallas campaign workers with a drive to collect canned goods and money for the North Texas Food Bank. She said they’ve raised at least $2,500. “My entire living room is covered with canned goods,” she said.

On Monday night, she and her campaign friends will gather at The Wine Therapist tasting room in Lakewood to complete and celebrate their effort. They’ll be acknowledging MLK Day and the inauguration, but they’ll also be rekindling the camaraderie of the campaign.

“It’s kind of like coming home,” Lloyd said.

You can become involved, learn more here: www.ntfb.org/renewing-america-together/

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Food 4 Kids: Full Backpacks Mean Full Stomachs

November 10, 2008 at 5:36 pm (Food 4 Kids)
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“I can’t imagine a child going hungry in this beautiful country,” says Susan Pignaro, Food 4 Kids Coordinator at Hotchkiss Elementary School in Dallas. “It shouldn’t be happening with all that we have.”

Susan has made it her mission to ensure that children at Hotchkiss Elementary don’t have to go hungry. Since March 2008, she’s been sending home backpacks of nutritious food with 65 hungry children through the North Texas Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids program. Hotchkiss serves a large percentage of immigrant and refugee children from all over the world, many of whom arrive in Dallas malnourished. Almost all of the students are on the free and reduced-price lunch program. “This helps them a lot,” says Susan. “It has been phenomenal for our school.”

Susan says the Food 4 Kids program has made a huge difference in the health and well-being of her students. She shares the story of two young girls who recently moved to Dallas from Myanmar. They were so thin and malnourished when they first came to Hotchkiss that they had to use string to keep their clothes from falling down. But they’re happier and healthier now that they’re receiving backpacks of nutritious weekend food – their clothes finally fit and their behavior has improved.

“It’s just a great thing,” says Susan. “The kids feel really good about themselves.”

Learn more on how you can impact hunger at ntfb.org

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