DALLAS — The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) unveiled its cobranded Container Pantry this week. The pantry is sponsored by the American Heart Association and Medical City Healthcare, supported by HCA Healthcare Foundation with a $50,000 contribution.
Additionally, the pantry is located at Uplift Infinity Preparatory in Irving, with a Produce Pod in McKinney. Each pantry increases access to fresh produce and pantry staples for families facing hunger.
“Over 254,000 children in North Texas don’t always know where their next meal will come from,” said NTFB President and CEO Trisha Cunningham. “This partnership provides food, hope, and nourishment for students to succeed.”
Moreover, the Container Pantry initiative is a community-based solution developed with Uplift Infinity. Each pantry holds roughly 3,000 pounds of food. Operating three days per week, it can provide up to 360,000 meals annually.
“Good nutrition is the foundation of good health,” said Allen Harrison, Medical City Healthcare President. “This pantry reflects our commitment to serve our neighborhoods beyond our hospitals.”
Furthermore, the pantry allows neighbors to walk through and select foods their families need. Uplift Infinity also hosts monthly drive-through food distributions. Since partnering with NTFB in 2023, Uplift Infinity has provided over 115,000 meals to families and students.
“The ability of our communities to thrive should not be hindered by lack of nutrition,” said Jenny Eyer, Vice President of Community Impact for the American Heart Association in North Texas. “We hope this pantry inspires others to take action.”
Finally, the pantry has helped families during the federal government shutdown by offering accessible food support. Parents can rely on it while students focus on learning.
“Partnerships like this strengthen our community beyond the classroom,” said Yasmin Bhatia, CEO of Uplift Education. “It ensures students have nourishment to focus and grow.”
Cunningham added that food insecurity can be particularly harmful to children. “Through this Container Pantry, American Heart Association and Medical City Healthcare help students thrive,” she said.
