The Tarrant Area Food Bank is handing out Christmas meals Tuesday as part of its last "mega mobile market" of 2021. The market continues until 1 p.m. at Herman Clark Stadium in South Fort Worth.
"The need really hasn't gone away," says Tarrant Area Food Bank President Julie Butner. "There are still people who have not returned to work and are still looking for assistance."
Butner says the pandemic has cast a light on an ongoing need for the Tarrant Area Food Bank's 13 county area. In the area, she says 540,000 are considered "food insecure." She says the food bank was giving out an average of one meal person, per week prior to the pandemic.
Many people have returned to work, but Butner says many have returned to jobs that do not pay a living wage.
"They're making decisions about whether to pay rent or a utility bill. Maybe they had a flat tire this week or needed some extra money for the kiddos and they fall short at the end of the month," Butner says. "That's the safety net we provide to the community."
Tarrant Area Food Bank gave out 10,000 meals over Thanksgiving and families at the distribution Tuesday can receive turkey, ham or chicken along with other holiday-related items.
"It's especially important over the holidays when you know families are coming together, and they have expenses they don't have the rest of the year that they're having to think about," Butner says.
Mega mobile markets will resume in 2022 as part of a partnership with Fort Worth ISD. Butner says distribution will continue Wednesdays at Herman Clark Stadium at least through the end of the school year.
"We are so appreciative of Fort Worth ISD for providing the space we needed," she says, saying the space allows the food bank to serve up to 2,000 families in a short amount of time.
Tuesday, Tarrant Area Food Bank also has a bus available where people can sign up for services like SNAP and Medicaid.
People can find other locations where food is available at https://tafb.org/find-food/ .
Butner says the food bank's greatest challenge is keeping distribution sites staffed. People can register to volunteer at https://tafb.galaxydigital.com/ .
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