Brit Mott

Because the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) distributed 3 million more meals this year compared to last year, the nonprofit is launching its first-ever summer awareness and fundraising campaign to bolster public support and help close the hunger gap. One initiative of the campaign is a parking lot benefit that took place at Preston Parker Crossing Shopping Center in Plano on Saturday, June 20.

The purpose of the benefit was not only to raise funds for the NTFB, but to educate the community on how the NTFB can meet the current needs of Collin County. For example, St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Plano has opened one of Collin County's newest food pantries—“Seven Loaves Food Pantry”—and the church is relying on the services of the NTFB to stock the pantry.

In its “Close the Gap” campaign, the NTFB is reminding the public that “hunger does not take a summer vacation,” and is reporting that typically, the nonprofit receives 47 percent of its annual donations during the winter, however, the recession is making summer donations all the more needed.

The parking lot benefit provided a lot of free entertainment for event-goers including an “exotic” car show and live music from the band, Shock of Pleasure.

For more information, or if you’re interested in donating to the NTFB, call Mark Yarbrough at 214.315.9457, or e-mail him at mark.yarbrough@verizon.net.