Free event is open to any North Texas community member in need of nutritional support
Free groceries will be available to North Texans when UNT Dallas hosts its monthly drive-through food distribution Friday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to noon (or while supplies last). Presented in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, the event supports students, families and residents across southern Dallas and surrounding communities.
This year, the UNT Dallas food pantry program has provided approximately 56,000 pounds of food to nearly 4,000 individuals across the region. This builds on the 820,000 pounds of food distributed to more than 31,000 individuals in 2024–2025.
According to Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” report, one in six North Texans lacks consistent access to nutritious meals. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has the third-highest number of people facing hunger in the nation, including more than 441,000 children. The report also notes:
- Dallas County has the 5th largest (454,140 people) and Tarrant County has the 12th largest (337,350 people) food-insecure populations in the country.
- 60% of the 1.3 million people facing hunger in DFW live in Dallas and Tarrant counties (791,490 out of 1,316,420).
- Statewide, nearly 5.1 million Texans are affected.
Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, the UNT Dallas mobile food pantry has become a dependable monthly resource for both students and the North Texas community. The drive-thru service is free and open to the public. Participants may remain in their vehicles and complete a brief intake form while volunteers place a box of food directly into their trunk.
Future food pantry dates include May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug. 28, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 21 and Dec. 18 (subject to change).
The UNT Dallas campus is located in southern Dallas at 7300 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX 75241. For more information, go to untdallas.edu.
KILL DATE: Friday, April 17, at noon
