Fact Sheets

Virtual Food Drive

Using Internet-based technology conceived by the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and developed by Aidmatrix, donors make an online donation using easy, interactive click-and-drag functions. All VFD funds are used for food purchase. Now in its third year, VFDs are growing in popularity as an alternative to company-sponsored traditional food drives. Employees prefer the ease of donating online within a 24/7 global environment.

MISSION:
The North Texas Food Bank passionately pursues a hunger-free community.

NEED: The NTFB, a nonprofit center for food distribution, is a member of America’s Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network (A2H). The NTFB procures donated surplus food and transfers it in usable quantities to over 764 feeding and educational programs in 13 North Texas counties including Kids Cafes, after-school programs, residential treatment programs, food pantries, emergency shelters, soup kitchens, senior citizen and low-income daycare centers and other social service centers.

SERVICE: Member Agencies are located in Dallas, Denton, Collin, Fannin, Rockwall, Hunt, Grayson, Kaufman, Ellis, Navarro, Lamar, Delta and Hopkins counties that cover 9,400 square miles. Approximately 3 million people live in this service area. Approximately 377,600 (13%) of the population in the Food Bank’s service area live below the poverty level. More than 164,000 (43%) of these are children under 18. Forty-six percent of households with hungry children are considered the “working poor” as at least one adult in the household is employed. (Source: Center for Public Policy Priorities) Texas is ranked as the third hungriest state in the country. (Source: America’s Second Harvest)

IMPACT: Since founded in 1982, 362 million pounds of food have been distributed.

1. 32 million pounds of food were distributed in FY05, an increase of 14%.

2. Pantries distributed food to 48,000 families per month, an increase of 43,000 since 2001.

3. Agency on-site meal programs served over 410,000 meals/snacks per month.

4. Consistently ranked in the Top 10 nonprofit organizations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area (as listed in the Dallas Business Journal).

EFFECTIVENESS:Each $1 donated = five meals ($10 worth of food).
$ .97 out of each $1 helps feed hungry North Texas families.

FIVE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

1. Give your voice. Hunger affects everyone in our community. Learn how and tell others.

2. Give an hour. We’ve got a variety of volunteer opportunities and options.

3. Give a pound. Host traditional and virtual food drives through your work, faith, school or civic group.

4. Give a dollar. We can take your $1 and distribute $10 worth of food.

5. Strengthen your team. Consider our teambuilding program for the greater good: serving-u.org

 

Begin your Virtual Food Drive!