SACHSE, Texas — Two large truck-fulls of meat have arrived in North Texas to help local pantries in their fight against food insecurity.
A pantry in Sachse named 5 Loaves Food Pantry has announced a collaborative initiative with Operation Frontline Warriors, Bar-S Food, and TQL Logistics Services. Together they organized, over the last couple days, a shipment that will see 150,000 pounds of meat being delivered to roughly 20 pantries in the area.
"We're giving [families] some hope. We're gonna help them move on from this. Maybe we'll break the cycle with this family," said Rebekah Rodgers, Assistant Director with 5 Loaves Food Pantry.
Five Loaves' number of families served has tripled to 150-180 on the three days they are open each week. The shelves that fill up early in the week? By Saturday afternoon, they're bare.
"This is how we feed our family," said Marissa Tall, whose family lives off one income and has eight little mouths to feed. "There’s no shame in getting help. Times are tough, and people are struggling."
At 9 a.m. Thursday, local pantries only will convene at North Pointe Church of Christ in Sachse to receive the donation of meat and deli products from Bar-S Food, alongside bread donations from Mrs. Baird’s.
"This unified effort aims to bolster support for thousands of families throughout the metroplex, particularly addressing the urgent need faced by 1 in 5 children who experience food insecurity on a daily basis. By pooling resources and collaborating on logistics, the partners hope to make a tangible impact on the well-being of these vulnerable populations," read a statement from organizers.
Ask any pantry: Meat is often the last item to come into pantries and the first item to come off the shelves because of the demand.
"We're gonna have 20 different pantries here tomorrow. I'm getting goosebumps!" said Rodgers.
It's not just food being delivered here — it’s hope for a better future. Organizers tell WFAA that Thursday's donation pick-up is for pantries only and not for private families at this time.
More Texas headlines: