Saturday, November 17, 2007

Dallas-based North Texas Food Bank launches new public awareness and fundraising campaign

By Pegasus News wire

As an alarming new report shows Texas and New Mexico tied with the nation’s highest rates of child food insecurity, the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is launching a new public awareness and fundraising campaign, calling on the community to help bring much-needed food to the tables of Greater Dallas children this holiday season.

The NTFB’s holiday campaign, kicking off this month and running through December, consists of prominently-placed billboards and other advertising featuring hard-hitting, yet poignant messages illustrating the need among local children, such as:

* Some families pray before dinner. Others pray for dinner.

* Imagine a child wanting food more than toys.

* How many meals are trapped under your sofa cushions?

* For the cost of your next toll, we can feed five kids.

Campaign taglines point out that the NTFB can feed five people with just a $1.00 donation.

In Texas, more than 24 percent of all children live in food insecure households (which means they do not always know where they will find their next meal), according the report released by America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network (of which the North Texas Food Bank is a member) and sponsored by ConAgra Foods Foundation. The Child Food Insecurity Study provided a first-time state-by-state analysis of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data showing the number of children living in food insecure households.

“There is a tremendous need for community support this holiday season, as so many children do not consistently get the nourishment they need to grow and thrive,” explained NTFB CEO Jan Pruitt. “Our new campaign helps paint the picture of how far even a small donation can go in the fight against hunger here in North Texas. We are asking the community to help NTFB and our member agencies put food on the tables of more families this Thanksgiving and holiday season, and throughout the year.”

The NTFB reports that support is needed now more than ever in stocking its warehouse shelves for the holiday season. The Food Bank reports that demand from member agencies is up by 20 percent from previous quarters.

In the United States overall, one out of six children in small towns and big cities lives in a food insecure household. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 12 million children in the United States live in this condition. In 12 states (including Texas) – nearly one quarter of the country – more than 20 percent of the children live in households without consistent access to food.

Supporters can view a sample of campaign ads, developed by RSW Creative, and make tax-deductible donations to the NTFB by visiting the organization’s Web site at ntfb.org. Individuals, groups and corporations can also contribute by donating their time at the warehouse.

Source: North Texas Food Bank

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