Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions has an Abundant Fall Season!

In September, the 10th Dallas Hunger Summit urged a holistic approach to ending hunger in a series of three consecutive weekly webinars. Speakers, panelists and attendees examined how to solve the problem through the lens of our “Top 10 Hunger Solutions”. 

Coalition Chair Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson kicked off the first webinar that featured a diverse array of strategists and advocates from multiple community sectors. Community leaders in technology, higher education, business, health, faith, nonprofit relief and government discussed going forward together to improve food security. They shared insights gained and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. You can view a video recording  here.

The second webinar presented co-authors of the book, Broke in America: Seeing, Understanding and Ending U. S. Poverty, in conversation about ending poverty to end hunger. They argued that public policies create barriers keeping many of our neighbors trapped in circumstances of poverty when there are concrete steps that can be taken to end poverty for good. Click here for the video recording.

The final webinar highlighted local innovators and practitioners who are applying ethical, equitable and effective solutions for food insecurity, food deserts and food waste around Dallas. Watch the video recording here to learn about the impact they are having in our communities.

Work remains to be done in reducing hunger and improving access to healthy food for everyone. The solutions must include more than just giving hungry people food. Complex problems require multiple approaches to creating solutions. We have to work collectively from a holistic point of view and come together to work on innovative steps to improve food security and community health in an all-inclusive way. The 10th Dallas Hunger Summit is a wrap, but the struggle continues!

The 87th Texas Legislature was in the SPOTLIGHT at the October Faith Community Action Team meeting. Hunger policy advocates, Denise Gomez, Children’s Health and Lupe Conchas, Bread for the World, provided a debrief for the Faith Community. Attendees reflected on

·      the impact recent legislation has on nutrition and food insecurity for hungry Texans and what the faith community can do;

·      what the faith community needs to know about state and federal food and nutrition policies;

·      what the impact of these policies is on food and financial security for hungry Texans;

·      how faith based partners can help support and strengthen anti-hunger policies and programs.

For a review or if you missed it, see Lupe's slides and Denise's slides. To learn more about how your congregation can get involved, check out these Faith Engagement Anti-Hunger Resources:

Christian: Bread for the World Church Engagement

Jewish: MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

Muslim: Islamic Relief USA Ramadan Guide

The Urban Agriculture Action Team inaugurated its SEEDING the Dream Community Garden Grant program in 2021. This fall, seven Dallas area community gardens received a combined total of $3000 to help sustain their traction and expand their capacity to provide fresh food for their neighbors in need.

Congratulations! Mustard Seed Community Garden at First Christian Methodist Evangelistic Church in Oak Cliff, Sunny South Community Garden in the shadow of Fair Park, Eagle Ford Community Garden in west Dallas, Dolphin Heights Community Garden in southeast Dallas, IRC Community Garden at Central Lutheran Church in northeast Dallas, Coppell Community Garden in northwest Dallas and Jill Stone Community Garden at Temple Emanu-El in north Dallas. Thank you for what you do!

“Roadblocks and Alternative Routes to Food Security in Dallas” was the focus of the final Public Policy Action Team education and advocacy forum of the year. This November forum was an extended transportation conversation, particularly rethinking the role of transportation in accessing nutritious food. The panel of experts included Diane Ragsdale, South Dallas Fair Park ICDC; Matt Smith, PepsiCo Foundation; and Curtis Corbins, Southern Dallas Link. These passionate and insightful advocates discussed the challenges many of our neighbors face in obtaining healthy food in their communities and the strategies underway to create equitable access through mobility solutions. Find out about strategies and what you can do to help advance mobility solutions in our communities. If you missed the forum and would like to learn more, the video is available here.

Senior Hunger Summit Coming in May 2022! The Senior Hunger Action Team announced plans in November to

·      hear directly from older adults about their experiences with food access and food security;

·      share resources and information to help older adults thrive;

·      provide socialization and enrichment for older adults.

We need your input! What do you think? How can you help? Complete this brief questionnaire to let us know and look for more opportunities to get involved coming soon!

 ~Written and contributed to the blog by Wyonella Henderson-Greene, Coalition Specialist, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty