Mayor's Milk Initiative ends after more than 54,000 gallons of milk distributed to Dallas families in need
DALLAS -- The Mayor’s Milk Initiative has now ended after volunteers handed out more than 54,000 gallons of milk to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative was a partnership between Mayor Eric Johnson, Dallas-based Borden Dairy, Dallas ISD, and local faith leaders.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly burdened our city's residents. Through the Mayor’s Milk Initiative, we were able to give a little bit of help to a lot of Dallas families in need,” Mayor Johnson said. “I want to thank our volunteers, faith leaders, Dallas ISD officials, Borden Dairy, and all those who helped make this effort a success.”
The Mayor’s Milk Initiative was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program, which is part of the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program (CFAP). Borden Dairy received the USDA’s largest award under the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
The initiative included seven rounds of distributions of gallons of 2% white milk at various sites throughout the city.
During the first round of distributions, the Mayor’s Milk Initiative handed out 12,595 gallons of milk and approximately 230,000 pounds of food from the North Texas Food Bank. More than 6,400 families — a total of more than 24,000 people — were helped.
During the second round of distributions last Thursday through Monday, the Mayor’s Milk Initiative handed out 8,076 gallons of milk to 3,500 families, reaching more than 11,000 people.
During the third round, the Mayor’s Milk Initiative gave away nearly 9,000 gallons of milk to nearly 3,000 families, helping about 12,000 people.
During the fourth round, more than 6,000 gallons of milk were distributed by volunteers to nearly 2,000 families, helping nearly 8,000 people.
During the fifth round, more than 8,000 gallons of milk were distributed to nearly 3,000 families, helping nearly 12,000 people.
During the sixth round, nearly 5,000 gallons of milk were distributed to 1,400 families, helping more than 6,000 people.
And during the final round, over 5,500 gallons of milk were distributed to more than 1,600 families, helping more than 7,000 people.
Although the initiative is officially over, Aunt Bette’s Pantry at St. Philip’s School and Community Center will continue to hold their weekly distributions and will continue to give out the Borden milk at their site. Other sites throughout the City of Dallas will also continue to provide free milk and food to families in need, including those hosted by the North Texas Food Bank.
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