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The solution was obvious. If you can’t feed 100 people, then feed just one.
It was a simple solution to a problem that didn’t exist. At least, that’s what Cheryl Jackson was told. As she educated on food insecurity in the area, many fellow residents pulled her aside to inform her that there were no hungry people in Plano, TX.
“First, we had a problem educating people about the need. The need exists,” says Jackson. “They see people smiling but they don’t understand what could be going on in the background: if that smiling person earns minimum wage and they’re struggling to make ends meet or if they’re earning $11-12 per hour but that’s just not enough to support their families. Outside, everything can appear to be okay but people need help.”
Jackson saw beyond the façade. In 2008, she pulled back the veil on food security and actively sought a solution by founding Minnie’s Food Pantry. She knew that the quality of food and consistency of availability would go a long way towards promoting health for North Texas families in need. She immediately sought out corporate sponsors and partnerships in addition to community contributions. Progress was slow at first but soon Minnie’s Food Pantry began to grow.
Minnie’s couldn’t have come at a better time. Federal funds for SNAP food assistance were slashed by $5 billion. Families that were on the brink soon found themselves in desperate need. Ubiquitous job cuts lead to an increase in families who struggled with food security as the recession lingered. On several occasions, volunteers who once helped distribute food returned in need of assistance.
“I had a management team from a huge corporation that came to volunteer. Before every group serves, I always tell them, ‘This could be you. We’re all just one paycheck, one lost job, away from being in the same position ourselves.’ The following week, just that next week, that entire team got fired. The beauty of it is that they had volunteered with Minnie’s and they knew that they could come in get healthy food when they needed it. They knew that a place like this existed,” recalls Jackson.
Minnie’s dedication to the community fuels a cycle of service. Those who receive help often find ways of helping others. Whether it’s employment assistance or emotional support, team members look out for one another long after their volunteer hours are over.
“There was another guy who was a contractor—his company basically built houses in a lot of subdivisions. He lost his job and eventually started coming to Minnie’s for food. I didn’t know who he was or what he did at the time but he would just come in for food,” says Jackson. “Later, he got another job and when he started doing well again he started sending us checks. He said, ‘I’ll never forget what you all did for me.’ Here was this guy who built cities and he came to us for food. He had a time when he had a need. It could happen to any of us.”
The need for food outreach continues in North Texas. Minnie’s Food Pantry serves about 4,000 area residents each month. Though recession woes are no longer in the headlines, Minnie’s still receives nearly ten new families in need each day. The organization has moved to a new building and increased its sponsorship to provide for the growing number of families. With a recent contribution from Yardi, Minnie’s is able to increase food distribution.
“With Yardi’s donation, we’ve been able to increase the food that we distribute to families. We were averaging 13-15 pounds per person then but with your donation we’ve been able to double that number. We’re averaging 31 pounds per family,” reports Jackson.
Minnie’s Food Pantry does not received state or federal funds. The nonprofit relies on donations and in-kind support. Learn how you can get involved and make an impact in the lives of families in need.
