Hunger in Hopkins County Continues to Escalate
Food insecurity in Hopkins County rose to 16.4 percent in a year.
September 11, 2024 (Dallas, TX) –The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is joining its extensive network of 500 food pantries and organizations for Hunger Action Month this September to inspire people to join the fight to end hunger and raise awareness of people experiencing food insecurity across North Texas.
Texas now has the highest number of people facing hunger in the nation, with nearly 5 million individuals experiencing food insecurity. In NTFB’s 13-county service area, which ranks as the country’s fourth-largest region for food insecurity, nearly 778,000 people struggle with hunger.
Trisha Cunningham, CEO and President of the North Texas Food Bank, stated, “In North Texas, where the number of individuals facing hunger surpasses the populations of cities like Seattle and San Francisco, the most alarming statistic is that nearly 40 percent of those affected are children. This reality is simply unacceptable.”
Despite inflation stabilizing and low unemployment rates, the cost of essentials remains alarmingly high. Since 2021, grocery prices have surged by 21 percent, and Texans in the lowest income bracket now allocate up to 30 percent of their income just for food. With rent and transportation costs taking up another 40 percent of their budgets, families in every zip code are often forced to choose between buying groceries and paying for other necessities like utilities, childcare or medicine.
The demand for food assistance today is even greater than during the pandemic’s peak. In Hopkins County alone, more than 6,000 people, including more than 2,000 children, are grappling with hunger. This results in a child food insecurity rate of 22.8 percent in the county.*
Last year, through the feeding network of the following partner organizations in Hopkins County, NTFB provided 3.4 million pounds of food, translating to more than 2.8 million nutritious meals.
North Texas Food Bank Partner Agencies in Hopkins County
Cumby: Cumby Food Pantry
Pickton: Pine Forest Pantry
Sulphur Springs: Ministerial Alliance; Community Chest; Meal A Day Sulphur Springs; Fruitful Harvest Ministry
“Hunger Action Month serves as a powerful reminder that community involvement—whether through direct action, volunteering or advocacy—is vital in transforming the lives of our neighbors. No matter how small, every effort brings us closer to a healthy, hunger-free North Texas. We invite you to support the fight against hunger by contributing to Hopkins County food pantries and other organizations that address this issue,” continued Cunningham.
For more information on how to help, volunteer, or advocate, please visit www.ntfb.org or contact one of the local feeding partners listed above. To find nearby food assistance, visit www.ntfb.org/findfood.
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About the North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a leading nonprofit organization that fights hunger and provides children, seniors and families in North Texas access to nutritious food. For over 40 years, we have been at the forefront of hunger relief, committed to ensuring that no one in our community lacks access to healthy food. Our extensive network of 500 food pantries and organizations, volunteers, and donors enables us to deliver more than 100 million nutritious meals annually to those in need. Beyond just addressing hunger, we focus on nourishing lives by offering nutrition education, investing in our network partners, innovating solutions to eliminate hunger and advocating for policies that tackle the root causes of food insecurity.
Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, highlighting our strong governance, integrity, and financial stability. Additionally, we are honored to be ranked 89th on Forbes’ 2023 Top 100 Charities in America. As a proud member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief network, we are committed to ensuring everyone in North Texas has the nourishment needed to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. For more information, visit www.ntfb.org or connect with us on social media @NorthTexasFoodBank.
