JEFF DAVIS COUNTY — The Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County is inviting donors from across the region to help unlock a $20,000 matching grant in April — funds that will go directly toward purchasing fresh produce for local families in need.
The grant comes from the Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation of Dallas, Texas, and will match all individual donations made during April, dollar for dollar, up to $20,000. If successful, the campaign will fund the Pantry’s Produce Plus program, which provides high-quality fruits and vegetables each week to families in Fort Davis, Valentine and Davis Mountains Resort.
“We’re not just handing out calories,” said the pantry’s executive director, Vicki Gibson. “We’re focused on fresh, healthy food that supports long-term health — especially for children and senior citizens. That’s not easy to do out here, but it’s what our community deserves.”
Recent cuts to federal food assistance are already impacting rural areas. West Texas Food Bank announced the loss of a $600,000 federal grant that helped reduce purchasing costs for food pantries across the region. As a result, the Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County expects to face a $10,000 increase in its food budget in 2025.
“This matching grant gives us a chance to get ahead of the curve,” Gibson added. “We’re calling on donors — near and far — to help us meet this challenge so we can continue offering fresh produce to our clients.”
The campaign is already off to a strong start, with several early donations — including $1,000 from a local couple who chose to remain anonymous. “We realize how important and expensive it is to have access to fresh produce here in West Texas. The Food Pantry fulfills a critical need in this area.”
The Food Pantry distributes food six times each month and also provides healthy snacks to all students in Fort Davis ISD and Valentine ISD, as well as at the Kids Pantry at the Jeff Davis County Library. Jeff Davis County currently ranks #1 in Texas for school-age child poverty — making nutritional support programs more critical than ever.
The pantry receives no government funding and relies entirely on private donations.
How to help:
● Donate online at www.foodpantry-jdc.org
● Mail a check to: Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County, PO Box 244, Fort Davis, TX 79734
● Or scan this QR code
