Dallas ISD announced today it received a $50,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation to continue and expand meal service to children and families in need during this crisis. The funds will support unanticipated costs, such as specialty packaging and equipment to ensure safe, effective, and efficient delivery of grab-n-go meals.
“We are very grateful for this grant; thanks to these generous donations, we are able to continue providing meal services to children in the Dallas ISD community with safety during these difficult times,” said Michael Rosenberger, executive director of Food and Child Nutrition Services.
The grant is part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares initiative*, a $50 million philanthropic pledge to help rebuild communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and comes as part of a $400,000 award granted to the Urban School Food Alliance. The funds from Truist will be leveraged to help eight large, urban school districts, including Dallas ISD, expand their emergency feeding efforts and continue to meet the needs of their communities.
“Rates of food insecurity have risen dramatically during the pandemic. School nutrition programs have stepped up to ensure children and families don’t go hungry, but they can’t do it alone. Community partners are vital to sustaining the emergency feeding efforts,” said Katie Wilson, Executive Director of Urban School Food Alliance. “Truist’s heart for our mission and significant investment in eight Urban School Food Alliance member districts is so greatly appreciated and demonstrates the type of public/private partnerships that are needed to continue this important work.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected schoolchildren who rely on free or reduced-priced meals,” said Bill Toomey, Houston and Central Texas regional president at Truist. “As part of our Truist Cares initiative, our support for the Urban School Food Alliance member districts throughout our footprint will help ensure these students’ nutritional needs are met, particularly during this difficult time.”
