Dallas Morning News Charities launches Kids’ Summer Feeding Campaign to address area hunger

The Dallas Morning News Charities launched their Kids’ Summer Feeding Campaign to support nine organizations in North Texas that offer summer programs to feed hungry children.

The campaign is slated to run through July 7th and is expected to raise $ 150,000. Every dollar raised will help provide access to approximately three nutritious meals for children.

“We know summer is a unique challenge for families who need to feed their children,” said Grant Moise, editor and president of The News. “Thanks to the continued commitment of our generous donors, we are happy to continue the new tradition of our summer fundraiser to help families in need.”

This is the fourth summer feeding campaign of the DMN Charities. The special initiative was launched in 2017. Last summer, DMN Charities replaced the program with a broader campaign to help the many nonprofits in North Texas affected by the pandemic.

Mission Oak Cliff is one of the charities selected for funding this summer. It provides emergency food and other services to approximately 5,000 families in need through five local zip codes.

Mission Oak Cliff Executive Director Kevin Pranoto (left) and volunteer Billy Leftwich collect donated groceries and supplies for a customer on Monday, May 24, 2021.Mission Oak Cliff Executive Director Kevin Pranoto (left) and volunteer Billy Leftwich collect donated groceries and supplies for a customer on Monday, May 24, 2021.(Lynda M. González / photographer)

Kevin Pranoto, the nonprofit’s executive director, said funding from DMN Charities will be a game changer this summer, especially given the economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pranoto said the demand has increased 75% since the virus spread in the region and “many of our customers were the first to be laid off from their jobs”.

Summertime can be even more difficult for families as the kids don’t go to school and many rely on free and discounted lunch options, he said.

“We know that children are starving, that they probably only eat one meal a day during the summer months,” said Pranoto.

Camille Grimes, Managing Director of DMN Charities, pointed out the special role that the summer program can play in helping many people in need.

“The past year has been particularly difficult for school-age children because of COVID,” she said. “Our“ Summer Feeding for Children ”campaign covers the cost of food and fun summer activities for children in need.”

Pranoto works with the customer to fulfill a food and delivery request.Pranoto works with the customer to fulfill a food and delivery request.(Lynda M. González / photographer)

Karen Williams, chairman of the board of directors of DMN Charities, said she was cautiously optimistic that life “is returning to some sense of normalcy.”

“As I move on, however, I understand that food insecurity is normal for one in four teenagers in North Texas,” she said. “With a measured recovery rate from such a devastating year for so many, the need has never been so great.”

Pranoto remembered the excitement and relief he felt when he saw that Mission Oak Cliff was selected for the DMN Charities program. Foods like milk and frozen meat go a long way toward helping families in need, he said.

“We’re just super grateful,” said Pranoto.

“We serve a lot of immigrant families, and only they were difficult to make ends meet before COVID, and they just got into a downward spiral after COVID,” he said. “So it is extremely important for them to continue to get food from us.”

Participating agencies

All community outreach

Brother Bill’s helping hand

Cornerstone CDC

Crossroads Community Services

Frisco family service

Mission oak cliff

Network of Community Ministries

Food bank in North Texas

Sharing Life Community Outreach

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