By: Abigail Hunt

The unwavering support of thousands of volunteers and partner organizations throughout the country help make the mission of the American Red Cross to alleviate suffering possible. They collaborate with the Red Cross to help provide comfort and care to people suffering in the wake of disasters big and small. Here in the North Texas Region, the North Texas Food Bank is one such organization that plays a leading role in supporting people and communities in need.

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked non-profit hunger-relief organization that sources, packages, and distributes food through a network of more than 400 partner agencies and organizations across 13 North Texas counties. The organization also provides food to children, seniors, and families through various direct-delivery programs, including mobile pantries.

In its last fiscal year, the NTFB provided access to nearly 137 million nutritious meals, a nine percent increase over the prior year. Charity Navigator designates the North Texas Food Bank as a Four-Star Exceptional organization for its governance, integrity, and financial stability. NTFB is also a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.

When disasters hit North Texas, the NTFB springs into action to help those in need as part of the Mass Care Task Force. The Mass Care Task Force (MCTF) is a collaboration between the American Red Cross North Texas Region, North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command and VolunteerNow.

“The North Texas Food Bank is proud to be part of the Mass Care Task Force as a means of responding to the needs of area neighbors following a major disaster,” said Jeff Smith, Senior Manager of Communications for the North Texas Food Bank. “The collaborative effort leverages the individual strengths of four dynamic organizations to effectively and efficiently meet the humanitarian needs of our community when they need it most.”

The collaborative effort was established in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to maximize the disaster-related services provided by the four nonprofit agencies. When a catastrophic disaster occurs, the MCTF works together to support the feeding, shelter, communication and volunteer management needs of the response effort.

“After a major disaster, our goal is to address the immediate needs of those affected,” said Katrina Farmer, American Red Cross Disaster Officer, North Texas Region. “We work with our partners in the Mass Care Task Force to ensure that people and communities know how to get help and how to give help.”

Each organization relies on their expertise in the relief effort. VolunteerNow recruits and assigns volunteers needed to assist in mass care relief efforts; the Red Cross staffs and manages shelter operations; NTFB supplies food and drinks; and the Salvation Army prepares and serves meals for the residents of the established shelters.

Every day, and especially during times of need, the North Texas Food Bank works to ensure the communities and people it serves have the food they need. Their work and dedication make them a valuable and integral partner to the Red Cross, Mass Care Task Force and the 13 counties they serve.