This leader found a way to keep Mission Central Metroplex pantry open amid COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic that forced shutdowns and layoffs brought to light that millions of Texans don’t know where their next meal will come from.
“Hunger is life and death for people,” said Treasure Ford, the community relations director at Mission Central Metroplex.
At Mission Central Metroplex, which serves Hurst, Euless and Bedford, Ford said the pantry has seen an increase in the number of people it has served. Usually the pantry serves about 400 families a month, but between March and April, almost 700 families were served.
“Most of our guests were working before all of this, but now they have nothing,” she said.
From 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, people can get the food they need.
Feeding America, which has a network of 200 food pantries across the country, found 2.3 million Texans face food insecurity as a result of COVID-19.
To make sure the organization kept a safe environment while giving out food, Ford said she sent most of her 80 volunteers home because they are older. For a couple of months, Ford and her five remaining staff members had to serve the hundreds of people coming to the pantry.
They practice social distancing, wear masks, don’t ask for ID or signatures and deliver food to guests’ cars without contact.
While it would’ve been easier to close the pantry back in March and wait until conditions improved, Ford and her staff showed resilience and compassion to help those families that needed their meals.
That’s why volunteer Karen Murphy nominated Ford for recognition in the Star-Telegram’s Hometown Heroes series, which highlights community members and their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hometown Heroes is sponsored by Lockheed Martin, which is providing $1,000 each to the 28 people selected by the Star-Telegram to be featured in the weekly series.
Murphy said she’s proud to work under someone who has a big heart. When everything was being shut down in March, Ford’s first reaction was to see how the pantry could keeping serving the community.
“She kind of embodies our core values, which is compassion, open mindedness, respect and empowerment,” Murphy said.
While the pantry is a big part of the organization’s mission, it also had an after-school program that needed to pivot and move online, Ford said.
Ford has been at Mission Central Metroplex for the last three years. Volunteer Kit Hickerson said it’s no surprise to her that the pantry found a way to stay open because Ford always looks for ways to innovate. Ford was the person who brought a plan to the organization’s board of directors and showed them that they could open the pantry safely.
“She just doesn’t quit,” Hikcerson said. “She’s like the energizer bunny.”
Ford knew how much the pantry meant for her community, especially during these times, so closing was never an option for her. She and her team put their heads down and found a way to keep serving.
“People need us,” she said. “We’re able to give them you know, four or five, six days worth of groceries man.”
To nominate a hometown hero
To nominate someone to be featured in the Hometown Heroes series, go to star-telegram.com/nominate.
