While the curtains closed on the State Fair of Texas on Sunday night, the spirit of giving and community support continued. On Monday morning, the fair’s food vendors were still bustling with activity, serving customers in the neighborhood.
This initiative, aptly named ‘State Fair Cares,’ sought to make a difference in the lives of the local community. State Fair Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Karissa Condoianis, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is the most organizations I believe we’ve ever been able to offer to come and be part of the State Fair Cares food drive.”
Nine local nonprofits were the fortunate recipients of surplus food and essential items donated by the State Fair’s food vendors. The gesture carried significant weight, as it aimed to address food insecurity, a pressing issue for many families in the area.
First-time vendor Cheyne Hickey of ‘Stay Cheesy’ shared the sentiment, understanding the impact of a free meal, remarking, “So I know a free meal might mean everything to someone.”
All the nonprofits selected to receive the donated food were based in the Fair Park/South Dallas neighborhood, the very community where the State Fair takes place. This choice was made with the understanding that this area has been classified as a “food desert” by the USDA, meaning residents have limited access to fresh, healthy food.
Karissa Condoianis explained, “We feel it’s important to assist with food insecurity in this area. Not only do we have this initiative, but we also have Big Tex Urban Farms, where we grow produce year-round on the Midway, and we donate all of that produce into the South Dallas/Fair Park community to help feed people in need as well.”
One of the notable beneficiaries of the ‘State Fair Cares’ food drive was the Inspired Vision Community Center, an organization that tirelessly serves up to 1,800 families a day, making a substantial impact on the local community’s well-being. This heartfelt initiative underscores the importance of community support and collaborative efforts in addressing critical issues such as food insecurity.
