iReporter
 
7
6
7
7

Each day, more than 40,100 children in Collin Country struggle with food insecurity. Hunger is an everyday issue that affects more than just an empty stomach. Hunger prevents children from excelling. The child who doesn't have enough to eat isn't going to do as well in school and is likely to get sick more often. He's less likely to graduate from high school and go on to college, which will negatively impact his economic future. And if that happens, 20 years from now, he's less likely to earn enough to feed his family, continuing the cycle.

September is National Hunger Action Month, and Frisco Family Services is asking the community to help our neighbors and friends who go hungry each day in our community.

Since Frisco Family Services started 20 years ago, they’ve operated the only food pantry in Frisco distributing more than 572,000 pounds of food equaling 446,000 meals in the 2013-2014 fiscal year. This past July, they issued a plea to their supporters and the Frisco community to keep the FFS food pantry stocked during the critical months of July-September with the goal of collecting 60,000 pounds of food by Sept. 30. This time of year sees fewer donations as the FFS Food Pantry relies heavily on the generosity of Frisco ISD for food drives during the school year. The lack of food drives during the summer, combined with children who normally receive free and reduced meals at school eating more meals at home, means that more than ever before, families are relying on FFS to help keep food on their table. With three weeks remaining, they’re only 6,000 pounds away from reaching their goal. The food pantry is the most used resource at the agency which eliminates the need for FFS clients choose between paying the bills or keeping their families fed.

Former FFS client William Harris (last name changed) was a recently disabled U.S. Army veteran who never thought he would need assistance from an outside source. But as he was waiting for his disability checks, medical bills were mounting not only for him but for his three special needs sons as well. Using the FFS Food Pantry and getting financial assistance towards their mortgage and utility bills enabled the Harris family to save money and get back on track towards self-sufficiency.

“I couldn’t have made it without them,” Harris said. “FFS 100 percent changed our lives. Their untiring efforts to help us stay in our home resulted in my family surviving while we awaited my disability check.”

Take action this month and prevent hunger in the Frisco and Frisco ISD communities.

How to Help:

  • Take the list of needed items to the grocery store to help in choosing foods and items to donate to the food pantry.
  • If you are interested in hosting a food drive, please contact Don Kirkwood, Food Pantry Manager, at 972-335-9495 or don.kirkwood@friscofamilyservices.org.
  • Visit www.friscofamilyservices.org for more information and to download tools and resources for your food drive.
  • Food donations may be dropped off at the Frisco Family Services Food Pantry located at 9085 Dogwood Street, Frisco, TX 75033 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
  • The Food Pantry will be open to accept donations this Sept. 13 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Frisco Family Services cannot accept bulk, expired or open items.

Frisco Family Services Food Pantry Needed Items:

Non-perishable items

  • Peanut Butter
  • Jelly
  • Sandwich Sliced White/Wheat Bread
  • Canned Pasta Meals (ravioli, Spaghetti O's, etc.)
  • Boxed Meal Helpers (Hamburger Helper, etc.)
  • Boxed Mac and Cheese
  • Children’s cereals
  • Fruit cups
  • Fruit Juices (small boxes or pouches)
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Bagged Beans
  • Flour (5 lb. size or smaller)
  • Cooking Oils (48 oz size or smaller)
  • Snack Items (popcorn, granola bars, etc.)
  • Saltine Crackers
  • Condiments
  • Baking mixes

For Babies

  • Size 4 and Size 5 Diapers
  • Baby Formula
  • Boxed Baby Cereal

Personal Care Items

  • Toothbrushes
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Bar Soap
  • Body Wash

Other Most Needed Items

  • Laundry detergent (approx. 40 load size or smaller)
  • Household cleaners
  • Dishwashing liquids (smaller containers)

About Frisco Family Services

Frisco Family Services is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization serving the communities of Frisco and Frisco ISD. The mission of Frisco Family Services is to help members of our communities who are facing hunger, homelessness and other urgent needs improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency. FFS houses the only food pantry in Frisco and offers financial assistance for critical needs such as rent/mortgage, gasoline and utility payments.  FFS sells and distributes clothing, furniture, and household items through Frisco Resale. Special programs include: Summer Lunch Program, Back-To-School Fun Fair, Thanksgiving Food Distribution and FFS Holiday Program. FFS also offers life skills classes, educational assistance and employment support to adult clients.