FORT WORTH, Texas — A weekly makeshift drive-thru is making life a lot easier for hundreds of families struggling to put food on the table. Every week hundreds of people line up for one of the busiest free food distributions in Fort Worth.
So, for people needing help during hard times like Dreta Gomez, the food giveaway is just what she needs to survive.
Gomez said, "I've never been in shape like this before. So, this is my first time."
Food giveaway volunteers loaded up Gomez's car with non-perishables, a frozen turkey, canned goods, eggs, bread and even fresh vegetables. The food will help her make it through the last week of 2022 after an already rough year.
She's survived a lot, including the struggle for food even in the middle of needing a place to even call home.
"As far as surviving and trying to find shelter has been hard, you know? And I'm in my car, and it's been very hard for me," said Gomez.
Every week, volunteers show up at the Community Crossroads Outreach Center on Hemphill Street in Fort Worth.
Long before people start lining up, they spend hours filling grocery bags. They have gotten their efforts to prepare for distribution down to a science.
Some of the volunteers are retired health care workers. Others are church members who strongly consider their contributions part of their faith.
Rev. Robin Michalove serves as one of the ministers at First Presbyterian Church. She has seen the economy have an impact on families all over Fort Worth.
She has also witnessed new families show up for help with food. She makes it a point that no one is ever turned away from the church who needs help.
Not only does she oversee the giveaway in their makeshift drive-thru which stems from the ministry during the height of the pandemic, she also makes sure people who walk up for help are taken care of, as well.
"Anyone's welcome," said Michalove, "It's not zip code restrictive or any cost. We are located right on the bus line, too, which helps us serve people."
Anyone is welcome because it's part of the ministry for Michalove. Since the outreach with food started, Michalove has witnessed their distribution grow by leaps and bounds because of the need. The donations include fresh food straight from grocery stores.
Michalove said, "A lot of times it spreads and pastries from local grocery stores who give donations. We also partner with the Tarrant Area Food Bank for protein and fruits and vegetables."
According to the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Feeding America, in Texas, more than 3,720,000 people face hunger, and more than 1,395,000 of them are children. In Fort Worth alone, more than 340,000 people are food insecure.
"And we've seen the numbers grow, especially because of the food prices," said Michalove.
That's because the number of people needing help this past year has topped previous years. So, Michalove and the volunteers expect to have even more families show up during their food giveaways in 2023.
First-time food recipients like Gomez encourage others to be brave about needing help.
"I would say don't be afraid to ask," said Gomez.
People wanting to help others needing food can make donations to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.
The Community Crossroads Outreach Center is always looking for volunteer groups to help pack grocery bags or distribute them.