North Texas Giving Day is officially here. The mega-sized fundraising event is put on by the Communities Foundation of Texas and serves as a huge financial driver for more than 3,000 nonprofits across the region.

“Donate and do good y’all” is the slogan for the campaign, which has raised millions of dollars over the years.

Last year, more than 100,000 North Texans donated a total of $78 million to thousands of area nonprofits.

This is the 18th year of the fundraising event, which has raised about $712 million over the years for causes ranging from education, health, social services, arts, the environment, and animal welfare.

The money given by North Texans goes straight to the organization they choose. Communities Foundation of Texas said that because of generous sponsors, all transaction and technology fees have been waived.

One of the organizations participating is the Salvation Army of North Texas.

“North Texas Giving Day is such a great day of celebrating philanthropy here in North Texas. And for the Salvation Army. It’s a really big day of giving for us. Our goal this year is $600,000, and that really helps fund all of our programs throughout the North Texas area,” said Christina Cavalier, the Managing Director at The Salvation Army of North Texas. “A gift of any size has great impact to the Salvation Army of North Texas Giving Day. So we welcome and appreciate all gifts.”

In the spirit of giving, the Salvation Army of North Texas received 2,160 gallons of milk from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Honor of North Texas Giving Day.

Thursday morning, a truckload of several pallets of milk was delivered to their Carr P. Collins Social Service Center in Dallas.

The milk was delivered to 13 Salvation Army food pantries across the region. Cavalier said milk is one of the most requested items, yet least donated. The big donation helps close a nutritional gap and bring awareness.

She with the price of food and gas going up, they’ve noticed more people asking for help.

“At the Salvation Army, we have seen an increase in demand for our services and then for ourselves. There’s also been an increasing cost for us to meet that demand. And of course, the Salvation Army is committed to meet people and continue to serve, however and whenever we can. So we’re very committed to that, but it has had an impact on our community and the people in need,” said Cavalier.

In Plano, the North Texas Food Bank also held a day of service in honor of North Texas Giving Day. With the help of 300 volunteers, for 24 hours, they packed food at the NTFB.

They too are participating in North Texas Giving Day, with a goal of $1.5 million. They explained that their role in helping feed North Texas continues to grow as well, given the economy.

“We’re seeing is actually the need is increasing. Currently in our service area, almost 800,000 individuals are food insecure. That includes 1 in 4 children, which is up from last year, which was 1 in 5 and so the need is great. We’re seeing a lot more people who are first-time visitors to our partner agency pantries and we’re seeing, you know, rising costs, costs as well,” said Sarah Burns, Vice President of External Affairs for NTFB.

From big to small, nonprofits of all sizes depend on North Texas Giving Day. To find your organization or cause and participate in North Texas Giving Day, click here.