Now THAT is a pantry! A look inside the North Texas Food Bank

You may recall I took a little trip to Texas last month to learn more about the ConAgra Foods Foundation and their support of a new program by Share our Strength called Cooking Matters.

We started our little venture at the North Texas Food Bank that feeds millions of hungry families living below the poverty level. Wait until you see just how much food they turn over in a matter of 14 days!

One of the coolest things they do is help feed hungry kids on the weekends when they don't have access to subsidized meals at school. The Backpack Program started when a young girl got in trouble for eating balloons. Finally the principal at her school asked her WHY she continued to eat balloons.

She replied, "I'm hungry."

The little girl had been living with her elderly (and I believe alcoholic) grandmother so she wasn't eating much on the weekends. 

The sad thing we learned is that the backpacks only help when school is in session. Summer can be a very long 3 months when you are hungry.

Janine

For more on my trip please read:

Hunger Fear Anger Hope