From PRNewswire/
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation today announced that it is giving $350,000 to food banks in Texas. This announcement falls on Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that encourages people and organizations to do good, which has deeper resonance amid the challenges presented by COVID-19.
“As a result of the pandemic, food insecurity rates and reliance on food banks are skyrocketing like never before,” said Kenzie Ferguson, vice president for foundation and corporate social responsibility for Delta Dental of California and its affiliates. “Fighting food insecurity is not only the right thing to do for our communities during these trying times, but it also aligns with our mission to promote oral health.”
Dental caries, or the disease that causes tooth decay, has been linked to food insecurity – a disruption in food intake or eating patterns due to a lack of resources – in numerous studies. Delta Dental of California and its affiliates, through the Foundation, employee support and corporate giving, have strengthened food banks across its enterprise states for years. As the economic crisis caused by the pandemic continues, it became clear it was time to increase that support exponentially.
Food banks receiving grants include:
- Houston Food Bank in Houston – $100,000
- North Texas Food Bank in Dallas – $75,000
- San Antonio Food Bank in San Antonio – $75,000
- Central Texas Food Bank in Austin – $50,000
- El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank in El Paso – $50,000
Today the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is announcing $2.5 million in funding to food banks across 15 states and Washington, D.C. This is in addition to $11 million in previously awarded grants in response to COVID-19. Foundation support in 2020 totals nearly $15 million, including nearly $1.3 million to nonprofits in Texas.