Food insecurity in Arlington doesn't stand a chance against the determined efforts of local organization Arlington Charities. Their multifaceted approach to combat hunger includes a daily drive-thru food pantry, home delivery services, mobile markets, and a dedicated food truck servicing food deserts. More than just a stopgap, these programs are changing lives in tangible, sustenance-filled ways.
Take Joy, an 85-year-old Arlington resident and one of the many faces of Arlington Charities' success. After a decade in her apartment, Joy found herself without a home due to eviction. But since October 2020, Arlington Charities' home delivery program has stood as a beacon of hope. "Arlington Charities has been so sweet to me. I felt like I was in a nightmare. Especially after working all my life for newspapers, I never imagined myself in this situation. I am disabled, and retired, and I am so grateful for Arlington Charities. They have helped me with kindness and understanding. You feel like you are so alone, but I know I am not alone,” Joy said, as per the City of Arlington, Texas. It's a heartfelt reminder that the aid goes beyond mere food—it nurtures the spirit.
The steady influx of support from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has been crucial in enabling this relief work. Finances can often be the great divider between plan and action, but with CDBG's backing, Arlington Charities' variety of programs can continue to thrive and expand.
