Feeding Fort Worth Since 1985

Bridging the Meal Gap for Neighbors in Need

In the first three quarters of 2025, WestAid provided more than 1,000 monthly shopping visits for neighbors in need valued at more than $860,000!

We hear frequently from thankful clients about their experience with WestAid: 

"Great pantry...I can shop their store twice a month, which makes up for the 

two weeks of the month I don't have any more food stamps."

For more than 40 years, WestAid has been providing resources to food-insecure households, serving more than 10,000 families per year in Zip Codes 76107, 76108, 76109, 76114, 76116, 76126 and 76008. While these are some of the most economically and socially diverse areas of Fort Worth, Como and Las Vegas Trail are two of seven areas focused on by the city of Fort Worth as high-poverty neighborhoods. Poverty levels are higher than the Tarrant County average in four of the six zip codes Westaid serves, with the largest disparity seen in the 76114 and 76116 zip codes – 16 and 19 percent are below poverty level, respectively, compared with 11 percent for Tarrant County overall.

THE SHIFTING FOOD INSECURITY LANDSCAPE

• AP reported in May 2025 that rising costs were sending more people to food banks, even those with jobs. About 9 percent of WestAid shoppers each month are visiting for the first time.
• In Tarrant County, 15.8 percent of the population is food insecure. The child food insecurity rate is higher: 21.9 percent.
• Due to loss of government funds, regional food banks may have lower funding and inventory levels, and some food pantries report having to reduce the number of monthly client visits. Your support will help WestAid continue to be able to offer client-choice shopping twice each calendar month to households served and provide sack lunches for the unsheltered community during pantry hours.
•  In Tarrant County, where a modestly priced meal costs $3.31, the average SNAP benefit is $6.19 per person, per day. About 46 percent of recipients in Texas are working families, 76 percent are families with children, and 30 percent are older or disabled adults. Many use food pantries to supplement what they’re able to afford when paychecks or benefits don’t stretch quite far enough, or for items that can’t be purchased using SNAP benefits like soap and diapers.
• Food insecurity can arise from a variety of circumstances. Some example seen at WestAid and in recent news reports include a full-time working mom with a baby who needed help after the father stopped paying child support, those who are unable to work due to chronic health conditions, a change in household size, often due to caring for grandchildren, the loss of a job, separation, divorce or deportation of a household’s main “breadwinner” can prompt the need.  

A working dad recently shared:

"I work in lumber and flooring at Lowes during the day and at night at Walmart. 

Six in the family, going to be seven in December."

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Food insecurity is linked with elevated risk of diet-related illnesses and other negative health outcomes, in addition to the increased use and costs of medical care. For those struggling to afford basic household expenses, supplemental groceries may help to make resources available for other important necessities like housing, medical care, child care and transportation.

A recent WestAid shopper who shared that she and her husband recently became the caretakers for four teenage grandchildren cried tears of joy, telling a volunteer, "We'd never have been able to afford this!"

Thank you for helping WestAid feed neighbors in need!

Spring 2025 Newsletter

Summer 2025 Newsletter