Food pantry responds to growing need

With food insecurity on the rise across North Texas and Texas leading the nation in hunger, UNT Dallas’ monthly drive-thru food pantry continues to be a lifeline for students and families. In partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, UNT Dallas will host its next food distribution event on Friday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon (or while supplies last) at its southern Dallas campus (7300 University Hills Blvd., Dallas 75241). So far this year, the UNT Dallas food pantry program has provided approximately 171,000 pounds of food to more than 10,800 individuals across the region. That’s in addition to the nearly 590,000 pounds of food distributed to nearly 18,000 people in 2024. UNT Dallas’ mobile food pantry began five years ago in response to the pandemic and has since become a monthly resource for both students and the broader community. The free drive-thru service is open to the public. Participants can stay in their vehicles and complete a brief intake form while volunteers load a box of food into their trunk. Future food pantry dates include October 17, November 22, and December 19 (dates subject to change). — Taylor Mayad