Success Story

Letters from program participants tell the story of Tarrant Area Food Bank's mission.

Backpacks for Kids provides healthy meals and snacks for children at risk of going hungry on weekends when they are not receiving meals at school. Inio Obadiah, program facilitator at Meadowbrook Elementary School, reports that about 30 families participate in the program at her school, but 20 more are on the waiting list. "There are families who don't know where their next meal is coming from. There is definitely a need for the Backpacks for Kids program!"

At 18 Kids Cafes, Tarrant Area Food Bank helps provide nutritious after-school meals to children who might otherwise go to bed hungry. The director of the Wesley United Community Center, Fort Worth: "The collaboration with Kids Cafe has benefited both parents and children. Children are calmer and able to concentrate on homework. We have noticed children are healthier and truly look forward to their Wesley family meal."

A Mental Health Counselor for the Hopes and Dreams program at a public housing community: "Your nutrition education [Choices! program] class meant that one of our students has been able to fix meals for three younger siblings over the weekends when her mom is away. Prior to the class, she had been stealing candy bars from a local convenience story for them or just going hungry."