Goodfellow Fund raises $100,000 for child nutrition program, enough for 500,000 meals
The Goodfellow Fund has raised $100,000 to assist the child nutrition program during the coronavirus pandemic.
For approximately two months, the Star-Telegram Christmas charity shifted gears to raise money to feed children who aren’t getting school lunches because of the coronavirus pandemic. During the holidays, the Goodfellow Fund provides clothes and shoes for children.
The money will provide for about 500,000 meals, Executive Director Richard Greene said. The meals will be distributed at schools across Tarrant County.
The idea to shift focus to providing meals for kids came from longtime donor Elton Hyder, who suggested to Greene that the reputation of the Goodfellow Fund could be be put to good use during the pandemic.
Stephen Raeside, executive vice president of development for the food bank, said the number of meals needed increased from 600,000 to 1 million during the first week of the coronavirus pandemic. The recession has compounded the need.
The money raised by the Goodfellow Fund will go toward building emergency meal kits of 30 pounds of nonperishable food. While the fund’s focus is to meet the needs of Tarrant County school children, Raeside said the contributions from donors will help feed entire families.
By relieving some of the financial burden of providing those emergency meal kits, the food bank is able to continue a strong focus on providing fresh produce, as well, Raeside said.
The Goodfellow Fund is working to return its focus to the traditional mission of providing shoes and clothing to needy Tarrant County school children in the upcoming Christmas season.
This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 1:29 PM.