For many in America, Sept. 11 is a day of remembrance of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
To the 1,300 volunteers gathered at Globe Life Field Thursday morning, the day was devoted to honoring the fallen through serving the local community.
In 24 cities across the country, 30,000 volunteers spent the day packing meals for their local food banks as part of the 9/11 Day service project. In North Texas, volunteers packed over 380,000 meals for the North Texas Food Bank.
“Today is the day where we remember the fallen, may we never forget, but today is the day of service we honor,” Darin Kinder, a former Secret Service agent who was on the ground during the attacks, told the volunteers. “I want to, from this day forward, honor those lost by living a life of service and sacrifice, and that’s exactly what you’re doing today.”
In 2009, Sept. 11 was proclaimed the National Day of Service under the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Years before the proclamation, the 9/11 Day nonprofit was created and commemorated the anniversary by finding ways to serve the country through acts of service on the day each year.
About 60 organizations from across the North Texas area participated in the event, either helping coordinate or pack meals.
Volunteers from around North Texas pack 380,000 healthy meals to be donated to the North Texas Food Bank during North Texas Meal Pack for 9/11 Day in Arlington on Sept. 11, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Irving resident Gerardo Gonzalez, who works at the Arlington General Motors plant, said he heard about the event through the company’s volunteer program.
Gonzalez spent the morning moving bags of rice and lentils back and forth from piles to packing tables.
Gonzalez said he felt the need to help.
“It’s good to help and see others help you bring the community together,” Gonzalez said as he dumped a bag of rice into a box. “We are all living here, we’ve all gone through our own hardships. Everybody’s gone through the same thing; we just want to help the community.”
Arlington resident Latasha Lofton said she remembers the exact feeling she had on Sept. 11, 2001, and it pushed her to volunteer.
“I felt so devastated, for the country and for everyone,” Lofton said. “This is my way of paying it forward, giving hope, caring, building community and being available to help everyone.”
Across the country, officials estimate that the 9/11 Day events will lead to 9 million packed meals.
Rice, lentils and vegetables are packed into shelf stable bags during North Texas Meal Pack for 9/11 Day at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sept. 11, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Events providing food assistance are immensely important for the Fort Worth-Dallas area, said Chloe Robertson, the senior food donations specialist for the North Texas Food Bank.
“We’re seeing people more than ever come seek assistance from the North Texas Food Bank, because we’re seeing higher prices of things like groceries, rent and utilities,” Robertson told volunteers. “The work you’re doing here today helps us make sure that our community can thrive.”
The food bank currently sees around 744,000 people in need of food assistance, Robertson said.
“That could fill Globe Life Field over 18 times,” Robertson said while pointing toward the field.
Across the lobby area, volunteers talked, packed meals, laughed and danced while music filled the stadium.
Volunteers from around North Texas pack 380,000 healthy meals to be donated to the North Texas Food Bank during North Texas Meal Pack for 9/11 Day in Arlington on Sept. 11, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
When volunteers first walked into the building, organizers told them the point of the event was to turn the tragic day into something better for the community.
“It means hope. It means community,” Lofton said. “It means love for our fellow mankind.”
Chris Moss is a reporting fellow for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@fortworthreport.org.
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