Giving Gratitude

It’s a season when families gather to break bread and give thanks. But for some, it can be difficult to put fresh produce and other healthy foods on the table. As part of its ongoing efforts to address nutrition insecurity, Texas Health Community Hope, where Texas Health Resources lives its mission to improve community well-being, will provide fresh produce and other resources to an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 families across North Texas. “Gratitude and Giving,” which begins Nov. 16, is an annual Texas Health program held at schools and community centers in under-resourced communities.

Recipients can select items that fit their needs, including collard greens, sweet potatoes, tomatillos and apples. Cutting boards, oven mitts, measuring spoons and other cooking utensils will also be available as well as recipe cards and nutritional information.

“This season is about celebrating togetherness and showing gratitude for each other and what we have,” said Matt Dufrene, vice president of Texas Health Resources. “Our Gratitude and Giving efforts are one way we can give back, helping families access nutritious, nourishing food right here in our community.”

This is the fifth consecutive year Texas Health has offered its Gratitude and Giving program, which started in 2020 with just 17 locations. In 2022, 60,600 pounds of fresh produce were distributed. That number increased last year to more than 94,000 pounds and is expected to reach 120,000 pounds this year.

Octavian Davis, a community center aid at Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside, said the Gratitude and Giving program is something people in the community look forward to every year. “They will make sure they call, email, or send someone if they can’t make it,” Davis said. “Some even move around appointments. In my opinion that shows our community’s commitment to living healthier lifestyles and how seriously they take it.”

Veronica Young, a family engagement specialist at Waverly Park Elementary School, agreed and said the program has an enormous impact on her community as well.

“Knowing that these families won’t have to worry about healthy food options during the school break is truly heartwarming,” said Young. “It’s not just about the food. It’s about the peace of mind we can provide to these families. This program is supporting healthier lifestyles and stronger families by providing a variety of items that can create a variety of meals.”

The Gratitude and Giving initiative is part of broader Texas Health efforts to improve nutrition security throughout North Texas. That includes 20 Good For You Healthy Hub locations that give families access to free produce and other resources at the neighborhood level, and Double Up Food Bucks efforts, which provide people who use Supplemental Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits the opportunity to double their buying power for fresh produce at participating locations. Texas Health also assists urban farmers and leads a comprehensive learning garden initiative that supports more than 40 area schools across five North Texas school districts.

Learn more about these healthy food initiatives at TexasHealthCommunityHope.org.