Food pantries continue to face increased demand for food assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Feeding America®, with its more than 200 affiliates across the country, projects that 42 million people (1 in 8), including 13 million children (1 in 6), may experience food insecurity in 2021.
To help provide muchneeded nourishment for families in need, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national cooperative owned by dairy farm families across the U.S., and its farmerowned brand Oak Farms® Dairy teamed up with Dairy MAX, representing more than 900 dairy farm families in Texas and seven other states, to organize a drive-thru milk giveaway on April 15 in Stephenville.
The collaboration resulted in 700 gallons of milk made available for distribution, serving 225 families.
The remaining 200 gallons were donated to Grace Place Ministry, H.O.P.E. Inc. and Love Basket pantries to be used in the Dairy MAX coolers provided through a refrigerated storage donation program.
This program allows food pantries to have access to refrigerated storage, enabling them to get more milk and dairy products to families in need.
“Milk is the most requested items, and receiving this donation in addition to the cooler we have at the pantry will allow us to feed even more families and make sure they have access to cold dairy foods,” said Jill Scott, pantry director for H.O.P.E Inc.
Local dairy farmers and DFA members volunteered at the event, distributing gallons of milk to hundreds of cars lined up in the First Baptist Church parking lot.
“We’re passionate about feeding families, particularly in times of need,” said Angela Wood of Sherwyn Wood Dairy. “We want the nutritious dairy we produce to reach as many people as possible, and it was an honor to help facilitate this donation alongside other dairy farmers and neighbors.”
Since April 2020, DFA and its family farm owners have donated the equivalent of more than 15 million servings of dairy to food pantries across the country.
Additionally, through the creation of the DFA Cares Farmers Feeding Families Fund, DFA and its farmer-owners are raising money to help provide essential support and deliver much-needed dairy products to community food pantries across the country.
To date, the Farmers Feeding Families Fund has raised more than $675,000 and donated financial support, dairy products and cold storage to nearly 250 community food pantries, where DFA’s family farm-owners live and work.