“Cabbage is $2 and some change when it used to be $0.89 a head. My kids don’t eat meat; they eat vegetables,” Duana Richards-Shelby told WFAA.

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Thousands of people lined up for another massive food giveaway in North Texas as families looked for ways to offset rising grocery bills.

“I raised 15 kids, 8 are still at home,” Duana Richards Shelby said.

Foster mother Duana Richards Shelby drove from East Texas to receive free food from the Tarrant Area Food Bank. She said she has watched the cost of everyday groceries steadily climb.

“Oh, my goodness. You know, a cabbage is like $2 and some change when it used to be $0.89 a head. Yes, and then if you got kids like me, my kids don’t eat meat, my kids eat vegetables,” Duana Richards Shelby said.

This was just one of several food giveaways across the Dallas-Fort Worth area hosted by the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB). Before the year is out, TAFB will come to the rescue of even more families across DFW who are facing food insecurities.

“We’re hosting one tomorrow (Wednesday) in Benton County at Seeds College Stadium. As well as we’ll have one in a few more days in Parker County,” Dr. Jared Williams said.

Dr. Jared Williams serves as a spokesperson for the Tarrant Area Food Bank, helping educate the public about hunger and food insecurity across North Texas. In his role, he works to highlight the growing need for food assistance, explain how economic pressures impact families, and share information about food distribution events and community programs. Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of volunteers, donations, and partnerships in addressing hunger in the DFW area.

The next TAFB North Holiday Mobile giveaway will take place at the C.H. Collins Athletic Complex, 1500 Long Road, Denton, on December 17, from 10 am to Noon.

Dozens of volunteers loaded car after car as the line stretched for blocks around Globe Life Field. Among those volunteering was former Texas Rangers relief pitcher Mark Adams, who said the need is clear.

“Right now, the way the economy is, the way of life in general, people are in need. The unfortunate thing is everybody that’s in need probably isn’t here today,” Mark Adams said.

In Tarrant County, about 15.8% of people experience food insecurity, including more than 120,000 children. Across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, an estimated 1.3 million people are impacted by hunger.

“People from all socioeconomic backgrounds are facing financial challenges because of several factors,” said Dr. Philip Baiden. “In some cases, families are being forced to choose where to spend their income, and unfortunately, it means not buying the food they need. That decision impacts children the most.”

Dr. Philip Baiden is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington whose research focuses on social determinants of health, adverse childhood experiences, barriers to health service utilization, and related outcomes that affect well-being across the lifespan. His work often examines how early life stressors and socioeconomic challenges are linked to health and mental health risks, and he has previously studied connections between adverse childhood experiences and food insecurity among young children as part of broader public health research.

“I encourage anyone facing food shortages to take advantage of the free distributions for their short-term needs,” Dr. Baiden said, “now we are seeing families who didn’t rely on food banks turn to them more and more because of the economy. For the long term, I suggest they seek help from a financial advisor to help with their budget.”

During Tuesday’s food giveaway, Danna Alanis shared how it helps her concerns about her family’s next meal. The items from the Tarrant Food Bank are just what they need.

“Vegetables, tomatoes, onions, ham, so pretty much the things you need to make dinner,” Danna Alanis said.