RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube Instagram Flickr
The Hub
  • Home
  • News
  • Headlines
  • Inside Dallas ISD
  • News Briefs
  • Nota Escolar
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • News
  • Headlines
  • Inside Dallas ISD
  • News Briefs
  • Nota Escolar
  • Contact Us
You are at:Home»News»Inside Dallas ISD»Dallas ISD, Youth World celebrate serving of 100,000th free meal
Margaret Lopez, executive director of Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition, and Darla Shirley, executive director of Youth World, visit with children having lunch on Monday, July 18, 2016.
Dallas ISD Food Services staff serve free meals to students at Youth World, as well as other activity sites during the summer across Dallas.
Youth World offers music, physical activity and learning activities for summer camp participants.
Lopez visits with students before a ceremonial balloon release.
Students and staff gather outside Youth World for a ceremonial balloon release.
Ready to release the balloons.
Balloons are released to celebrate then 100,000th free meal served at Youth World by the Dallas ISD Summer Food Program.

Dallas ISD, Youth World celebrate serving of 100,000th free meal

0
By The Hub on July 18, 2016 Inside Dallas ISD

Last week, amid the organized chaos that is lunch service at Youth World Learning Center each summer day, the 100,000th free meal was served there by the Dallas ISD Summer Food Program.

That number was celebrated on Monday, July 18, by staff, students, volunteers and partners at the center, which serves at-risk children by offering supplemental education resources, economic relief community support and more.

Executive Director Darla Shirley said she almost can’t believe how far the center has come, from humble beginnings in an old, crumbling warehouse without air conditioning in north Oak Cliff to a more modern facility down the street from Dallas ISD’s David W. Carter High School. That 100,000 free meals have been served through Youth World is quite a feat. “This number represents hearts,” Shirley said. “Hearts, faces and little tummies.”

Starting Youth World in 1998 with little more than a crafts table, borrowed computer and some jump ropes, Shirley said she expected 30 kids to participate that first summer. However, 100 showed up. “It was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time,” she said. “We just couldn’t stop.” In the 20 years since, the demand for services has grown, and now Youth World has a building to match.

Margaret Lopez, executive director of Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services, said the need for child nutrition is great during the summer. “It’s been a strong partnership with Youth World,” she said. “Eighteen years we’ve been working together.” She noted that children and youth 18 years old and younger are welcome at any of the Dallas sites for the free meals. “At Youth World, they exercise their bodies and their brains, and they need fuel for all of that.”

Shirley thanked the community support and many partners that help keep Youth World running. “Only a community and an army could do this for so many kids,” she said. Beyond meeting immediate needs, she said the center offers a place where children can find hope and their futures. “There’s so much more that needs to be done.”

To find where free meals are offered this summer, visit the Dallas ISD Summer Meals page, which offers a location tool.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
The Hub

Connecting you to the personalities, places and perspectives of Dallas ISD

Related Posts

Inspiring fathers to make a difference

Dallas ISD bilingual reading teachers win Read Conmigo grants

Making it happen in education

Archives
  • Recent
June 27, 2025

Un mensaje de la superintendente de Dallas ISD

June 27, 2025

Straight Talk from Dr. Stephanie Elizalde

June 25, 2025

AlumNow Spotlight: Mario Bahena

Enrollment is Now Open
About
About

Connecting you to the personalities, places and perspectives of Dallas ISD



The Dallas Independent School District
9400 North Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75231
© 2025  Dallas Independent School District

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.