Help The Food Group Combat Food Insecurity

We are The Food Group — a group of six undergraduate students. Our goal is to bring awareness to the issue of food insecurity in Denton County and raise $1,000. Our fundraiser is supporting the Denton Community Food Center. This organization is a food pantry with a mission to combat food insecurity and provide emergency food assistance to needy families and individuals.

According to Feeding America, nearly five million people, with about 1.7m being children, are facing hunger and food insecurity in Texas. Food insecure individuals in Denton County make up about 2.3% of this total, which may not seem like that much. However, that's still 114,180 people who struggle with hunger, which is staggering to think about. Texas is one of the top states for food insecurity, which is why advocating for change and mitigating against this issue is of the utmost importance.

In an article, CBS News, using statistics from Prosperity Now, reported that since 2019, lots of Americans are often just one paycheck away from financial crisis, and you may know someone who has experienced this, is experiencing it right now, or is dangerously close. Food insecurity often comes with financial crisis, which is exactly what these organizations try to mitigate. With a donation of as little as $10, this food pantry is able to get $60-$70 worth of food from the Tarrant Area Food Bank. DCFC purchases 70% of its food via cash donations, which is then able to provide households with enough food to last a family of four a week.

This organization's clients are living proof of how critical the offered services are, making it deserving of all the support we can provide. Take Sarah, a former client who depended on DCFC in a time of dire need. Her story comes straight from the organization's website itself. Volunteers at the pantry not only provided her with sustenance, but also offered a listening ear and words of encouragement. Sarah now volunteers at the center, paying forward the kindness she once received.

When we first formed our group and decided we wanted to raise money for this cause, we weren't sure how to begin. But throughout this campaign so far, we have been recognizing our previous biases, utilizing resources to learn from, and determining the best way we can help the Denton Community Food Center. You can help too — even just a dollar is a step in the right direction!

However, if money is a concern right now, there are other ways to spread our message. Volunteering is always a great option and there are many opportunities within DCFC. Our group, as well as those who rely on this organization, would also highly appreciate a share of any kind. We hope that with our campaign, we can teach the community about being civically engaged the way those in need may teach us.

If you are in need of food or want to learn more, please visit the website at this link:

Denton Community Food Center Website

Sources:

Feeding America

What Hunger Looks Like in Texas

Hunger and Poverty Map

CBS News, Prosperity Now

Many Americans One Step Away From Crisis

Denton Community Food Center (linked above)