JEFF DAVIS COUNTY — The Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County has announced a $25,000 Match Challenge to coincide with the beginning of the school year and National Hunger Action Month in September. Each dollar raised, up to $25,000, between now and September 30, will be matched dollar for dollar, thanks to the generosity of several donors.
Jeff Davis County ranks number 1 in percentage of school children living in poverty in Texas. With no school cafeterias and no federal lunch programs, the food pantry’s Pack-A-Lunch program fills the gap for more than 130 students. Pantry clients with school-age children, including home schoolers, receive a lunch kit with nutritious ingredients for a meal plus a snack 365 days a year.
In addition, the food pantry provides daily, healthy, in-school snacks throughout the school year for all Fort Davis ISD students and will expand to Valentine ISD in the 2024/2025 school year. The food pantry also partners with the Jeff Davis County Library to run the Kids Pantry. This unique operation requires no applications, has no income guidelines and does not collect personal information. It is available to all Jeff Davis County children.
In all, the three food pantry kids’ programs serve approximately 70% of the children in the county. The food pantry relies entirely on donations, and does not receive local, state or federal funds. For more information or to donate online, visit their website: www.foodpantry-jdc.org/donate or send a check to: Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County, P.O. Box 244, Ft Davis, TX 79734.
As Food Pantry Executive Director Vicki Gibson said, “Your gift will make a significant difference to the children living in our county.”
