Food banks get record donations from North Texas Super Bowl Committee

By Alex Branch

abranch@star-telegram.com

The Tarrant Area Food Bank received a supersized donation Friday.

The North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee awarded the food bank $850,000, the largest noncapital gift the charity has ever received. The committee gave the North Texas Food Bank about $1 million, also a record.

"What a wonderful way to start 2012," said Bo Soderbergh, executive director of the Tarrant County organization.

The money came from the $7.15 million surplus that the committee had from hosting the 2011 game at Cowboys Stadium. Committee members said they would set aside $2 million as a reserve for a future Super Bowl bid and give the rest to charities, including food banks.

The Tarrant County agency says the money will go primarily to three programs: a pilot effort to provide nutritious food to seniors in the Como neighborhood, capacity development assistance for partner agencies, and expansion of a program that provides healthful food on weekends to children who are in danger of not getting enough to eat.

"The important thing for the community to know is that this money is going to be put to use immediately," Soderbergh said. "Many households will benefit from this, the greatest single gift ever made to Tarrant Area Food Bank."

The food bank distributes to 300 partner agencies that serve abuse victims, children, the elderly, the chronically ill, the unemployed and others in need.

Between the Tarrant and North Texas food banks, the money will help feed hungry children, families and seniors in 25 counties, according to the Super Bowl committee. Food bank officials received the donations at an event in Dallas.

"We are thrilled to further support our community and the work of the North Texas Food Bank and Tarrant Area Food Bank in tackling hunger," Bill Lively, president and CEO of the Host Committee, said in a statement. "The excitement of setting a record for the food banks' largest donations is a final score for a tremendous Super Bowl success."

Alex Branch, 817-390-7689

Twitter: @albranch1

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