If you're wondering what happens to all of the leftover food from the State Fair of Texas...it gets donated to shelters and food banks in South Dallas. The "State Fair Cares" initiative happens every year the day after the Fair ends...and local nonprofits take the food and serve it to families facing hunger.
State Fair volunteers unloading donated items roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms
"These are those fun donations families might have seen in the past if they were able to go to the fair at one point in time.. like the sausage on the stick; it kind of reminds them of their childhood and so it's that little piece of joy... that donation was able to put a smile on their face," Empowering the Masses Pantry Manager Lakeisha Johnson said.
The donations her nonprofit receives helps feed about 500 families a week. She said it can be hard to get donations throughout the year, so sometimes the nonprofit has to serve smaller portions to families going in for a meal.
With over 90 vendors at the State Fair, some of them even order extra inventory just to be able to donate during the annual initiative.
"We'll be giving to organizations like The Stewpot, Cornerstone, Inspired Vision...several of nonprofits here also get grant funding from the State Fair of Texas," senior vice president of Public Relations Karissa Condoianis said.
Fair favorites being donated include waffle mix, Oreos, tomatoes, rice, jalapeños, hamburger buns, dairy products, turkey legs, meat, onions, and fresh corn.
State Fair donations heading to local shelters and food banksEmily Capetillo
"The State Fair of Texas is about bringing our community together to ultimately uplift our community year round, and this is just one of the many initiatives that we do," Condoianis said. "I think of also how I'm a mom and how if I were in a place where I couldn't feed my children, I don't know what I would do, and to think that we have these organizations that are helping deliver this food to families, helping feed families in our community tonight...it's critical you know, there are a lot of people struggling right now."
