Hunger Free Dallas County comprises a group of individuals and organizations that address the root causes of hunger in our county. Their vision is that everyone will have access to good nutritious food and that our food supply will be affordable to all.
Hunger Free Dallas County has done “windshield tours” of the county in order to identify areas — sometimes whole communities — that have no place to buy fresh meat and produce.
While Hunger Free Dallas County does not have money to give directly to families to pay for their groceries, the group supports the establishment of sources of food. These include meals for older adults delivered by Meals on Wheels, school backpack meals, a dozen food pantries around Dallas County, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly called food stamps and the Supplemental Food Program for Seniors, which provides a monthly food package to older adults.
An innovative project they started is the mobile food pantry, which is a monthly pop-up pantry in several communities.
The work done by Hunger Free Dallas County is funded by our local affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Donations are welcome. For information on the Endow Iowa tax credit, by which donations to Hunger Free Dallas County earn a 25 percent tax credit, email Scott Cirksena at dallashunger@gmail.com.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.
