Forney Food Pantry Receives Significant Donation Amid Kindness Week

FORNEY, TX – In a heartening show of community support, the Forney Food Pantry was one of twelve North Texas food pantries to receive a substantial donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On November 12, the pantry received two full pallets of food, approximately 1,700 pounds, as part of a larger effort to combat food insecurity in the region.

Food Donation Just in Time for World Kindness Week

The food was distributed from Sharing Life in Mesquite, coinciding with World Kindness Week, a DFW-wide initiative spearheaded by the Thanks-Giving Foundation. This event aims to promote compassion and unity throughout the community.

Natalie McAlanis, manager of the Forney Food Pantry, expressed gratitude for the generous donation. The food pantry, which serves many local families, plays a crucial role in combating hunger in Forney and the surrounding areas.

A Collective Effort to Fight Hunger

The 44,000-pound donation is part of an ongoing commitment by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to alleviate hunger and provide assistance to those facing urgent needs. The mixed donation included canned and boxed goods such as vegetables, chili, fruit, beef, and dried milk.

As highlighted by Kyle Ogden, President and CEO of the Thanks-Giving Foundation, “In an increasingly divided world, kindness serves as the common ground that unites people across faiths, cultures, and neighborhoods.” This sentiment underscores the importance of community collaboration in addressing food insecurity.

Local Impact and Future Initiatives

The Forney Food Pantry is not alone in its mission. Other organizations benefiting from this donation include the Kaufman Christian Help Center, Manna House, and the Salvation Army, among others. Collectively, these pantries serve over 34,000 individuals each month, demonstrating the significant need for such resources in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

In the past two years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated approximately 760,000 pounds of food to the DFW and East Texas regions, partnering with trusted organizations like the North Texas Food Bank and Catholic Charities to maximize their impact.

This year's donation was timed to coincide with World Kindness Day on November 13, as part of a week-long celebration featuring various events designed to foster kindness and community spirit. A public festival is scheduled for November 15 in the Dallas Arts District, and over a million kindness stickers will be distributed throughout the DFW area to inspire acts of compassion.

As the Forney community continues to come together to support those in need, initiatives like these remind us of the power of kindness and the importance of local collaboration in fostering a compassionate environment.

For more information about the Forney Food Pantry, contact Natalie McAlanis at forneyfoodpantry@gmail.com or call 469-610-1281.

Thanks to Shannon Weiss for her help with this story.