FORT DAVIS — September is Hunger Action Month, and the Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County is calling on neighbors to step up. Thanks to generous donors, every gift this month will be matched — dollar for dollar — up to $30,000, unlocking a total of $60,000 to fight hunger right here at home.
“We receive 100% of our funding from private foundations and individual donations. We receive no county, state, or federal funds. We’ve been doing this for 26 years, and we are truly ‘neighbors feeding neighbors,’” said Executive Director Vicki Gibson.
With the help of its Ford van, the pantry delivers fresh produce and groceries to more than 240 families in Fort Davis, Valentine, and the Davis Mountains Resort. It also supplies healthy snacks to every student in Fort Davis and Valentine schools, and provides school lunches to over 120 children whose families are pantry clients.
All school-age children are also welcome at the Kids Pantry inside the county library, where they can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner — no forms or sign-ups required. With Jeff Davis County leading the state in the percentage of school-age children living below the poverty line, children’s programs are a major part of the pantry’s budget.
How to help: Donations can be made online at foodpantry-jdc.org, by mail to P.O. Box 244, or in person at the pantry. Every gift in September counts twice toward feeding local families.