We hear frequently from thankful clients about their experience with WestAid:
Thank you so much for the food this morning! You were so well organized. It felt wonderful to choose for myself, and nothing will be wasted.
For nearly 40 years, WestAid has been providing resources to food-insecure households, serving more than 10,000 families per year in Zip Codes 76107, 76108, 76109, 76114, 76116, 76126 and 76008. While these are some of the most economically and socially diverse areas of Fort Worth, Como and Las Vegas Trail are two of seven areas focused on by the city of Fort Worth as high-poverty neighborhoods. Poverty levels are higher than the Tarrant County average in four of the six zip codes Westaid serves, with the largest disparity seen in the 76114 and 76116 zip codes – 15 and 19 percent are below poverty level, respectively, compared with 11 percent for Tarrant County overall.
THE NEED CONTINUES TO GROW
Recently released Feeding America statistics show that Texas is now the most food-insecure state in the nation, surpassing California with a rate of 16.4 percent, representing nearly 5 million people, 22.8 percent, or 1.7 million of whom are children. Numerous state sources have also documented recent increases in hunger linked to rising housing and food costs.
In Tarrant County, 14.2% of the overall population and 21.9 percent of children are food insecure – higher than national averages, 13.5 and 17 percent, respectively. In Texas 48 percent of those experiencing food insecurity are above the SNAP threshold of 165 percent of federal poverty level or below, so they are not eligible for assistance.
From a working mom who contacted WestAid to inquire about services:
"I was just losing my mind at Walmart yesterday having to make choices
between buying bread or eggs for the week."
Many of the households served by WestAid may be above the poverty level, but still struggle to afford necessities. “ALICE” is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of working families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. Poverty levels are higher than the 11 percent Tarrant County average in four of the zip codes Westaid serves. In 76114 and 76116, 15 and 19 percent are below poverty level, respectively, compared with 11 percent for Tarrant County overall. Notably, more than 50 percent of households in those two zip codes are below the ALICE threshold. (Source: unitedforalice.org)
COMMUNITY IMPACT
In addition to improved health and well-being, research supports the benefits of simply having enough to eat. Students perform better in school, are less likely to become ill, and more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college. Adults are better able to successfully fulfill family and personal responsibilities and function productively. For those struggling to afford basic household expenses, supplemental groceries may help to make resources available for other important necessities like housing, medical care, child care and transportation.
Sometimes need arises with a change in employment or household size. A recent WestAid shopper who shared that she and her husband recently became the caretakers for four teenage grandchildren cried tears of joy, telling a volunteer, "We'd never have been able to afford this!"
Another grateful shopper left this online review:
"They are sooooo very, very sweet. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't know what to do. Food prices have gone up SO very very high, especially the meat!!!! And trying to feed 3 people on a fixed income, it's terrible. But thank God for Westaid. I am able to survive. May God bless you lovely angels."
Thank you for helping WestAid feed neighbors in need!
WestAid is a network of caring people in Southwest Tarrant County providing food resources for needing neighbors who are experiencing food insecurities.
Vision
Elevating by empowering families and increasing food security through support, engagement, and education.
WestAid’s Equity position is most clearly spelled out in the organization’s Core Values. In addition, organization staff and volunteers are also bound by the nondiscrimination policies of Tarrant Area Food Bank and USDA (for more information, please see below).
CORE VALUES
-Dignity: We acknowledge the inherent worth and self-esteem of each individual.
-Respect: We believe human beings were created in the image of God and should be treated with respect.
-Stewardship: We are called to be good stewards of God’s creation, and to obey directive to feed the hungry.
-Service: We are committed to serving the public with compassion, integrity, and empathy.
-Diversity: We respect and welcome all cultural/ethnic backgrounds, and varying schools of thought.
-Collaboration: We believe that to achieve a food secure community, we must engage the community as a whole, building a strong community support system.
In training and directing volunteers in their interaction with clients, WestAid operating procedures and staff clearly outline the expectations of cultural sensitivity, understanding and nonjudgment. Additionally, as our primary source for purchasing food for distribution, Tarrant Area Food Bank’s policies, by which WestAid employees and volunteers are bound, dictate fair and equitable service delivery. WestAid personnel attend TAFB’s required annual Civil Rights Training, which outlines policies, expectations and best practices. The organization is also bound by USDA’s non-discrimination statement for nutrition assistance programs, state and local agencies, and their subrecipients, and its related complaint process:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Organization name
Westaid
Causes
Social Services
Operating Budget
$250,000 - $499,999
Counties Served
Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other
Address
7928 Camp Bowie West