As a fitting kickoff to the season of generosity, on Nov. 16, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas brought together hundreds of volunteers and community partners for the Food & Health Resources Fair presented by PepsiCo. Thousands of our neighbors joined us at Fair Park for free grocery distribution, fun family games and activities, health screenings and vaccinations, information on important health services, giveaways and more. 

As part of United Way’s Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, the fair was a unique opportunity to connect our neighbors with vital health resources and knowledge while advancing our Aspire United 2030 goals, which include improving access to health and wellness resources so every North Texan can live longer, healthier lives. 

Read on to learn more about the Food & Health Resources Fair and its impact on local families, as well as how you can support food security and expanded health access in North Texas.  

We’re Supporting Food Security and Health 

We designed the Food & Health Resources Fair to combat food insecurity and to connect more of our neighbors with the health resources and information that will enable them to thrive.  

Food insecurity is a significant problem in Texas, which is the most food-insecure state in the country. In North Texas, one in eight people, or 640,000 of our neighbors, face hunger. That figure includes one in six children. In fact, Dallas County has the fourth-highest rate of food-insecure children in the nation. 

Meanwhile, many North Texans lack access to important health resources, such as health insurance coverage, which can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased costs. 

Faced with these challenges, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas unites the community to improve health access, and the recent Food & Health Resources Fair is a great example of our collective impact.  

Here’s just a snapshot of this exciting and impactful day: 

• 65 community partners shared services and information with attendees. 

• More than 1,000 families benefitted from our community partners’ resources and services and received free giveaways. 

• 1,000 families received 60 pounds of groceries, including poultry. 

• About 1,000 individuals received health screenings and services. 

• Nearly 200 volunteers made the day a huge success.  

• Four lucky attendees won hundreds of dollars in Kroger gift cards. 

During the event, children enjoyed a variety of fun activities, including creating their own bookmarks and first aid kids, getting airbrushed temporary tattoos, and playing giant Connect 4. Families were also treated to entertainment from the Lincoln High School marching band, the BombazoDFW musical group and the Mavs ManiAACs, the Dallas Mavericks’ dance group. 

Meanwhile, we encouraged all volunteers to amplify their impact by taking just a few moments to advocate for improved food security. Right now, anyone can make an impact by urging Congress to pass a strong Farm Bill that makes investments in critical federal programs that help individuals and families keep food on the table. Click here to join us in advocating to protect and strengthen food access.  

Join Us in Improving Health Across North Texas 

With the support of volunteers and nonprofit and corporate partners, our programs improve access to health and food resources for families across North Texas. We invite you to Live United and be part of this meaningful change in our community. 

Here are three ways you can improve health access in North Texas right now: 

• Give: Make a one-time or recurring donation of any size to invest in our initiatives that improve access to health right here in our community.  

• Advocate: Join us in calling on Congress to protect and strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is critical to keeping local families fed and healthy. Click here to learn more and advocate now—it only takes a few minutes! 

• Volunteer: We frequently host programs that support food security and health access for local families. Keep an eye on current and upcoming opportunities on our volunteer page.