North Texas Food Bank Gives Thanksgiving Meals To 8,500 Families In Dallas

Thousands of Texas families waited hours in line at Fair Park at a food distribution event organized by the North Texas Food Bank on Saturday.

More than 600,000 pounds of food (including 7,280 turkeys) were distributed to feed 25,000 people, food bank spokesperson Anna Kurian told CNN.

This was NTFB's largest food distribution to date as the pandemic worsens across the U.S. Before the pandemic, NTFB typically helped around 500 families with its holiday food distribution, but more people are asking for help because of financial hardship.

“We’d probably run short on some food before the check comes in” if it weren’t for the food bank, Leel Hampton told the Dallas Morning News as he waited in line. Hampton arrived at Saturday's event at 5:30 a.m. to help feed his family of three.

Some people camped out in their cars overnight at Fair Park to be among the first in line while others who arrived on Saturday had to wait in their cars for up to 10 hours. Photos show thousands of cars snaking through the parking lot and spilling onto nearby roads.

Each family received a frozen turkey, 20 pounds of nonperishable food, 15 pounds of fresh produce and bags of wheat bread.

“We know that people need food or they wouldn’t be in line,” food bank CEO Trisha Cunningham said. “... So many people need it right now, and there is no stigma attached if you’re coming though this line. You will be served with dignity and respect.”

Photo: Getty Images