FORT WORTH, Texas— A new big RED Bus has pulled up into Cowtown to offer a helping hand to residents who need to be met where they are.
The initiative by Tarrant Area Food Bank will help provide immediate food relief and assistance to obtain long-term solutions in Fort Worth’s underprivileged neighborhoods. Residents like Darryl Drake need a little support to improve their living situation.
“I do dialysis so I’m living at a group home and I’m trying to get affordable housing and help with food and stuff,” said Drake, who recently qualified for disability, but says paying rent where he currently lives takes up most of his funds.
The RED Bus is fully stocked and equipped to help with the technology barriers people like him may encounter while trying to get assistance.
“We’re actually taking this vehicle directly into our highest need neighborhoods. The intent is to provide nutrition, education, resources such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid and also fresh produce and fresh food to community members who need it,” said Julie Butner, president of Tarrant Area Food Bank.
For Drake, this means getting past the standstill that he has felt has kept him from moving forward.
“Because I don’t know nothing about a computer and I’m not good at going online, so when people are here to help, that helps out a lot,” he said.
The RED Bus will make all the difference, since some residents have a hard time purchasing healthful foods or even struggle getting to a grocery store to do it.
“I’m on the bus line and it's hard for me to get to places,” said Drake, who says that another obstacle for people in the east side of the city is that there are not many grocery stores nearby.
Therefore, he is grabbing what he needs and some to share, while encountering friendly TAFB staff during his visit.
“Between me and my roommate, he likes rice and I like beans, so it should last for a good while,” he shared, as he made his way down the grocery aisles of the bus.
Tarrant Area Food Bank staff take pride in and have a passion for the mission they have been assigned.
“It’s an honor to serve our community when they’re facing a hard time, so we’re coming to help them,” said TAFB Community Resource Specialist Roy Rodriguez.
The support he feels is contagious and he wants to encourage others facing similar challenges to become more comfortable seeking help.
“'Cause they’re like, well I don’t wanna go over there, and I’m like, you never know unless you go in there and ask questions,” finished Drake.
He feels that almost everyone needs help at one point in life, and the RED Bus is bringing it closer to them than ever.