More than 1,000 people from throughout the North Texas community spent the anniversary of 9/11 helping others by packing hundreds of thousands of healthy, non-perishable meals to be donated to the North Texas Food Bank for distribution to individuals and families at risk of hunger in North Texas.
According to Feeding America, one in four Americans experience food insecurity every day.
Now in its fifth year, the North Texas Meal Pack for 9/11 Day is one of 18 9/11 Day Meal Packs organized in cities across America. As many as 20,000 volunteers participated nationwide, packing more than 6.5 million meals for 9/11 Day and as part of Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month.
“The North Texas Food Bank is grateful for the collective efforts of the volunteers as part of 9/11 Day in support of Hunger Action Month,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO, North Texas Food Bank. “We could not do what we do in the fight against hunger without the support of the community. Because these individuals are willing to give the gift of time in assembling these boxes of food, thousands of neighbors facing hunger in North Texas will have access to nutritious food.”
Over the past 22 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the 9/11 anniversary has transformed into the largest day of service in America. Overall, more than 30 million Americans participate in 9/11 Day each year, dedicating time to helping others in need and rekindling the spirit of unity that brought Americans together in the days following the 9/11 tragedy. As a growing annual tradition, many Americans also share their “good deed” plans via social media on the morning of 9/11 under the annual #IWillFor911Day social media initiative.
“Our lives have been shaped by how we, as a country, came together to respond in the wake of 9/11,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, which provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges and improve lives and communities. “Through a spirit of unity and an enduring commitment to our most cherished values, the 9/11 Day of Service provides Americans an opportunity to reflect, remember and take action, knowing we’re unstoppable when we stand together.”
About 9/11 Day
The 9/11 Day observance was founded in 2002, inspired by the spirit of unity, service, and shared humanity that arose in the United States and spread around the world following the events of September 11, 2001. Today, the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance – also known as 9/11 Day – stands as a permanent tribute to those lost and injured and those who rose in service in response to the tragedy. As the single largest day of service in the U.S.,
9/11 Day reminds us that coming together in a spirit of kindness, no matter our differences has the power to change lives and, ultimately, our world.
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