North Texas Food Bank continues its partnership with Dallas College and bringing mobile pantries at seven campuses. The two have a long-standing relationship that intensified when the pandemic began.

“We were serving thousands of people every week. There was such a need, ”said Cathy Edwards, Associate Dean of the Student Care Network at Dallas College.

She was at Mountain View Campus this week when the food queue was not as long as it used to be, but still there.

“People who spent their savings when they were unemployed now have to replenish their savings. Unemployment is still very high. The cost of living is still very high,” said Lalia Solis, spokesperson for North Texas Food. Bank.

“We certainly still need support in many ways,” she said. “Whether you want to volunteer with us, whether you want to donate money. Every dollar donated provides three meals to feed someone in our community or donate non-perishable food.”

Yet on a dreary, cold and damp day, morale was high. As coronavirus infections decline and people get vaccinated, volunteers are once again being welcomed into food banks and pantries.

“It makes me happy to be with my students again. We have the basketball team. They put their muscles to work,” smiled Edwards.

“I have new guys coming in and this is the first time we’ve done any teamwork, and it’s great,” said LeRoi Phillips, men’s basketball head coach at Mountain View. “Once my guys get in here and start looking at the faces of the people feeding, it’s a joy.”

However, players haven’t pushed that far to see the need.

“I really understand what people are going through,” said first year basketball player Taven Jackel, 19.

Jackel, a college student from East Texas, understands because he’s been in this situation.

“It can be embarrassing to ask for food because I definitely had to ask for help with eating. So I totally understand,” he said.

As Jackel lives alone, his family in East Texas and San Antonio are supportive of him, and he is grateful that he can count on them.

“I am lucky to be able to have food and to help people who need it.”

Even on a dreary day when the craving for food continues, there are signs of progress and steps in the right direction.

“I actually haven’t met all the guys. So it’s good to meet all the guys so now we can bond and next season we can be good,” smiles Jackel.

So many people are hoping for a better season.