Drive to End Hunger

AARP Foundation Teams Up with Dallas Mavericks to Fight Older Adult Hunger in Texas

“Drive to End Hunger” Meal Packing Event at American Airlines Center to Yield 100,000 Meals for North Texas Food Bank; Foundation to Present $65,000 check to food bank at Mavericks vs. Grizzlies game

Dallas, TX – AARP Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks and the North Texas Food Bank are teaming up for a “full court press” on the fight against older adult hunger in Texas. The organizations are hosting a Drive to End Hunger meal packing event, Friday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at American Airlines Center where 200 volunteers will sort and pack 100,000 meals to feed older adults in Texas.

All meals will be donated to the North Texas Food Bank, which serves 13 counties in the greater Dallas area. According to a report by AARP Foundation, one in 10 Texans age 50 and older face the threat of hunger.

Adding to the effort, AARP Foundation also will present a check for $65,000 to the North Texas Food Bank during halftime of the Dallas Mavericks vs. the Memphis Grizzlies game on Saturday, Nov. 2.

“Being part of this initiative with the Dallas Mavericks and the North Texas Food Bank means that more adults age 50+ who struggle with hunger will get access to the food they need,” said AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins. “This event will help shine a spotlight on the issue of hunger that nearly nine million people 50-plus face everyday.”
“We are honored to partner with AARP and the North Texas Food Bank to help end hunger among older adults who are in need of a meal,” said Mavs proprietor Mark Cuban. “Anytime we can help bring to light a great cause like this and make a difference in our community, we are more than happy to participate.”
Furthering awareness for the issue of hunger faced by people 50+, Drive to End Hunger’s weekend-long activities in Texas will culminate with four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS Jeff Gordon, racing at Texas Motor Speedway, Sunday, Nov. 3.

For more information or to get involved, please visit www.DriveToEndHunger.org or follow @Drive2EndHunger.

About AARP Foundation:
AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, strengthen communities, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org

About North Texas Food Bank:
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit relief organization which leads the fight against hunger with knowledge-based strategies to distribute donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through research, education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. In FY 2013, NTFB provided access to 62 million nutritious meals. NTFB is a member of Feeding America (feedingamerica.org).