DALLAS — Cars lined up by the hundreds during a mile-long stretch leading up to the Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ in Dallas.
The church partnered with the North Texas Food Bank to hold a food distribution event Thursday morning.
Church coordinator Ruth Williams told WFAA the first cars began lining up at about 4:30 a.m., almost five hours before the 9 a.m. distribution began.
“The need is great,” Williams said. “It’s dire.”
Stephen Brownfield and Diane Franceschini waited in line for more than two hours. On their days off, they drive to food distribution events and pick up food for other families in need, many of whom live in counties north of Dallas.
Brownfield, a paramedic of 35 years, told WFAA he struggles to pay his bills, but tries to help others.
“There’s always somebody worse off than me,” Brownfield said. “On my days off I usually ride for rideshare companies, because I can’t make ends meet. It’s gradually getting worse as the year has gone on.”
Brownfield said he hasn’t received a pay raise in 10 years.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. Data from the USDA shows food insecurity in the city of Dallas has worsened. Since 2020, food insecurity in Dallas has seen a 37% increase.
“It’s almost unbelievable that in these United States we have people without food,” Williams said. “The need is serious, and I don’t see an end to it.”
Nohelia Barrigaz and her family ran out of gas as they waited in line and physically pushed their vehicle through part of the line. For Barrigaz, the help is crucial. They just arrived to the U.S. after a month-long journey from Venezuela.
“We have to do what we have to do, physically, to move forward,” Barrigaz said in Spanish.
The North Texas Food Banks has several food distribution events planned on Friday:
- Covenant Life Church
- 423 N College St. in Waxahachie from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia Dallas Norte
- 3751 Merrell Road in Dallas from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Crossroads Covenant Church
- 647 E Pleasant Run Road in DeSoto from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.