As Jessica Wilkinson counts her blessings, state and national leaders meet to talk about the problem she and millions of Americans face.
"Potatoes, spaghetti sauce," she said, pulling out the cans from a grocery bag. "Me and my children would be hungry."
That is, if she didn't receive help from her local food bank, Caritas in Waco.
"I came up here, and there was no problem helping me with food and clothes for my family," Wilkinson said.
 |  |
 | |  |
| | | | | | | |
Hunger
News 8's Bonnie Gonzalez explains why hunger is a problem and who is collaborating to fix it.
 
| | |
| | | | | |
|
At first, she said she didn't know where to turn for help, until she found a 24-hour state hotline, 211. The phone call has helped keep her pantry full.
"They told me there's a place called Caritas that can help with food and clothes," she said.
Wilkinson's story unfortunately is the case for millions of Texans. The Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples said a lack of nonprofits and food banks is not the problem.
"Texas is a very affluent state. We have many resources and we need to match those resources to those in need," he said.
To address the issue, Staples met with other organizations and agencies at Baylor University on Thursday for a hunger summit.
Food and Nutrition Administrator Julie Paradis with the United States Department of Agriculture made the trip from Washington D.C. to attend.
"We've got all the people who know and understand the problem working together for the first time. I think it's going to make a historic difference in Texas and if you can do it in Texas you can take it across the nation," Paradis said.
It's the beginning of a bigger push to keep families fed and put an end to hunger.
For more information about the Roundtable or the Texas Health Initiative, contact Jeremy_Everett@baylor.edu or call (254) 710-3946.
