As the holidays approach, many North Texans are feeling the strain of a difficult year. To help meet that need, the CBS News Texas 11 Days of Giving campaign, in partnership with Tom Thumb Albertsons, is donating $1,000 a day to food banks and pantries across the area.<\/p>\n
On Thanksgiving Day, that support went to the Fort Worth HOPE Center in Kennedale, helping them continue to feed and support families in the community.<\/p>\n
The Fort Worth HOPE Center has served the North Texas community for more than 20 years, with a mission of fighting hunger and feeding hope. They distribute food boxes to families in need. This week for Thanksgiving, the organization provided 800 boxes.<\/p>\n
Last year alone, the HOPE Center distributed more than 360,000 food boxes, relying heavily on volunteers like Jarred Howard, who now gives back to the neighborhood where he grew up.<\/p>\n
“To be able to give back in any way that I can. I do a lot of community outreach, so this is a great avenue to be able to do that,” Howard said.<\/p>\n
In addition, the Fort Worth HOPE Center recently just moved to Kennedale and is in need of funding to purchase a freezer they had to leave at their old location.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“This year we are looking to raise about 200 thousand dollars to install a new cooler and freezer. This is a significant piece of equipment for our organization to be sustained,” said Donna Taylor, executive director of the Fort Worth Hope Center.<\/p>\n
The $1,000 donation will help the center continue its mission of keeping North Texans happy and healthy through the holidays.<\/p>\n
“Our donations mean everything to us. Whether it be money, or canned goods. One thousand dollars makes a significant impact within our organization, and we are able to continue our mission and feed those in need.” Taylor said.\u00a0<\/p>\n