Police were directing traffic around the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center in Dallas Thursday, where hundreds of people drove through a mobile pantry. The center has been working with the City of Dallas and North Texas Food Bank since the pandemic started in 2020.
The basketball center has held "Center Table" events around holidays and other times people who live in southern Dallas would be most likely to need help.
"We thought about how many families had kids home, especially the Fourth of July weekend, so you've got kids eating a lot more than they normally would," says Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center Chief Executive Trina Terrell-Andrews.
That area of Dallas is considered a "food desert" without a grocery store nearby. Terrell-Andrews says events like Center Table can help people who may not have reliable transportation to reach larger stores.
Many people at the event Thursday said they are working, but they do not make enough to make up the difference for inflation and increased food costs. They say they are also expecting higher energy bills because of the hot start to summer.
"It's good to get help. We need help right now," one woman said.
"I'm kind of struggling right now, but hey, I'm just trying to hang in there," another said.
When Center Table first launched, many hourly workers who live in the area lost a stable income and did not have a nestegg to make up the difference. Terrell-Andrews says the focus has now shifted toward helping people deal with higher costs. She says she is glad the basketball center can help, but she struggles with the sight of cars lining up for blocks in search of help.
"It's bittersweet," she says. "It's one of those situations where we're going to be here as much as possible."
Some at the event Thursday said they had never needed help before.
"This is my first time," one woman said. "It's very tough to make ends meet. Very tough."
Since the partnership started with the City of Dallas and North Texas Food Bank, the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center says its events have provided more than 18,000 meals. More information is available here.
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