5 ways you can help Tarrant Area Food Bank feed families after federal funding cuts
Tarrant Area Food Bank is looking to donors and volunteers across North Texas after the federal government froze funding for major food-assistance programs. The deficit? $4.2 million.
Based in Fort Worth, the Tarrant Area Food Bank provides food to dozens of pantries across 13 North Texas counties, including Denton, Wise, Parker, Johnson and Hood. Over 512,000 people in the region face food insecurity, over a third of whom are children.
You can help Tarrant Area Food Bank stay on track to deliver 2.5 million meals that North Texan families are expecting to receive. And it’s fun!
Volunteer with Tarrant Area Food Bank
There is an array of volunteer opportunities for adults and children at many food bank locations, including some near you. Kids up to certain ages must have an adult with them. There are available time slots at many locations every day except Sundays.
Volunteer roles can include greeting and registering people, stocking shelves, helping people shop a pantry, sacking groceries and carrying sacks to cars. “This is a very interactive volunteer opportunity, and very face to face,” one volunteer listing in Fort Worth says. “If you are friendly and like to see your impact on the community, this is the volunteering event for you!”
Another example of a volunteer opportunity is a Wednesday community meal with worship. “Your primary responsibilities will include ensuring that all guests feel welcome and comfortable,” the listing says. You also will help with after-dinner games, crafts or other fun activities.”
Tarrant Area Food Bank as an easy-to-use calendar where you can sign up to volunteer. The website is tafb.galaxydigital.com.
Those who need to fulfill court-ordered volunteering requirements can also sign up.
Group volunteer with your church, business, school or club
There are lots of opportunities through Tarrant Area Food Bank’s network of pantries and partner organizations for your group to volunteer.
The food bank’s website has a form to fill out. The Community Engagement team will be in contact with you. It may take at least a week due to demand.
Make a monetary donation to Tarrant Area Food Bank
Make a one-time donation or recurring gift using a link at the top of Tarrant Area Food Bank’s website, tafb.org. Every $100 you donate will provide food for 500 meals in North Texas.
If you want to donate specifically to fill the gap from the loss of federal funding, the food bank has a specific form for that.
You can also set up automated monthly donations through the Direct Feed program by filling out a form and mailing it to 2525 Cullen St., Fort Worth, TX 76107.
Donate stocks ... or your car ... to the food bank
To make a gift of stocks and bonds, contact Stephen Raeside at Stephen.raeside@tafb.org or call 817-857-7100.
Donate your car by going to careasy.org/nonprofit/Tarrant-Area-Food-Bank, which is run by Charitable Adult Rides & Services, a nonprofit which takes care of the towing service and sends you the donation receipt and necessary tax documents.
To find out more about giving monetarily or with your time, contact the Tarrant Area Food Bank’s community engagement team: volunteer@tafb.org.
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM.