Staggering Statistics
We’re a decade out from the Great Recession and still one in eight Americans are crippled with food insecurity. In North Texas, that number increases to one in six people – and even more staggering, one in five children. In Dallas alone, over 442,000 people (17.6% of Dallas’ population) are food insecure. And yet, there are now 24 Fortune 500 companies in the Dallas area, the 3rd highest amount in the nation.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food insecurity is the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Often times, those suffering from hunger are everyday Americans just trying to make ends meet. In 2011 TangoTab was created to help fight hunger in a fun, simple way. Through an app, one meal is donated to a local charity when members dine at a participating restaurant. In 2015, TangoTab took it a step further and created Feed the City.
Fighting Hunger with Feed the City
Feed the City brings volunteers together once a month to make meals for those in need. There are now over 20 monthly events in cities around the country, one in which our Dallas office makes a point to participate in on a regular basis. We chose Feed the City because of its immediate impact on the local community.
“I recently saw some staggering statistics about hunger right here in West Plano, which is one of the most affluent areas in the country. I thought about my own kids when I heard about the impact on children specifically, and how fortunate we are. It’s important to all of us (my family) to give back to our community, and Feed the City allows us to do that together. With Feed the City, 100% of the donations are distributed to those in need within a few days and that is very important to us.”
– Lawrence Russell, National Sales Director
Feed the City makes it easy for our employees and their families to participate. There are no age limits to participate in the events. All that is required is that volunteers bring the requested food items listed on the event’s site. It’s a great way for our team to get to know one another while we make a difference in the community.
“I got involved in Feed the City several years ago because it was one of few ways to get my young daughters involved in volunteering. Feed the City is a great organization for letting all ages help eliminate hunger in a fun way.”
– Mike Williamson, Director of Oracle ERP SupportNet and Products
Be the Change
Want to make a difference? Here are just a few ways you can contribute to America’s hunger crisis:
- Download TangoTab and dine at a participating restaurant
- Organize a company-wide food and fund drive for a local food bank
- Become an advocate for Feeding America
- Volunteer at a food pantry
- Feed America’s seniors with Meals on Wheels
- End child hunger at No Kid Hungry
For more Life at Perficient blogs, click here to get an inside look at Perficient’s culture and values.