FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD) - With the pandemic dragging on and the holidays right around the corner, food banks are busier than ever.
Julie Butner, President and CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, says on average volunteers have been serving almost twice as many people since the start of the pandemic.
"It's a record high," says Butner. "And all of this is attributed to the pandemic and people losing their jobs, and needing support in ways that they have not needed before. They're trying to make decisions about paying rent and utilities … putting gas in the car or putting food on the table."
The TAFB isn't the only one working overtime. Other North Texas nonprofits and charities have been working around the clock since the start of the pandemic … and now, it looks like the mission of fighting food insecurity in North Texas is getting a big partner: Kroger. For the first time, the Kroger Dallas Division and Kroger Co. Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation are launching the Community Care Hunger Program.
The program partners Kroger with five local food banks, including the Tarrant Area Food Bank and North Texas Food Bank. Together, they're working towards a big goal: Providing 5 million meals to people in need.
You can donate to the program at any of the 109 Kroger stores in DFW. There are several ways to do it. Around the store, you will see displays with a "virtual box" or "Community Care $10 Food Box" tab. To donate, grab one of those and take it to the register when you check out. If you round up the total of your overall purchase, the excess money will be donated to the program as well.
Stores are already accepting donations, and they will continue accepting them through December 23rd.
