Opt for Optimism

Dallasites party the day away while giving thanks for the good stuff

The Dallas weather matched the mood at the fourth annual Dallasites101's Darty at the Grove: sunny, breezy, and bright. CultureMap and Frost Bank rolled up to The Grove at Harwood in the Opt For Optimism van, ready to spread a little more sunshine with swag, wildflowers, and plenty of smiles.

Roughly 500 people soaked up the glorious temps while pausing to reflect on what makes them happy. They were encouraged to jot down answers on the Call Me Optimistic chalkboards, and answers for "I'm thankful for..." ranged from "my health" to "my puppies," with one sweet boy scribbling "mom" while his (very thankful) mother looked on.

A new parent spoke of the optimism he has for his six-month-old baby, and how the event caused him to think about ways he can make the world better for the next generation.

In between playing sand volleyball and lawn games, downing cold drinks and grub, and listening to music by live bands and DJ Viva Latina, guests also got to shop pop-ups from local vendors.

Those who attended not only got in touch with their gratitude, they also got wildflower seed bombs to bring a little more color into their lives. Frost Bank cash cards were also handed out, and one woman personified the intent when she vowed to pay it forward by gifting the card to someone else.

CultureMap and Frost Bank will be hosting more of these pop-up events throughout the year, surprising and delighting folks all over Texas. Want to know where we might show up next? Sign up for our emails and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for hints about our next stop.

Frost Bank and CultureMap brought smiles to the fourth annual Darty at the Grove.

Darty at the Grove

Photo courtesy of Dallasites101

Frost Bank and CultureMap brought smiles to the fourth annual Darty at the Grove.

charity-guide video nature promoted pets

Free Food

Food Bank to host summer food giveaway at UNT Dallas campus

Farmers Market produce vegetable

Photo by Michael Martin

undefined

Two Dallas organizations are partnering on a big summer food giveaway: The North Texas Food Bank is joining forces with the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) with a mobile food distribution event at the UNT Dallas campus on Friday, July 18.

UNT Dallas and the NTFB already host a drive-through mobile pantry each month, but this one is specifically focused on children who are out of school for the summer.

Each participating family will receive about 60 pounds of food, including fresh produce, to help fill the gap left when school-provided meals are unavailable.

So far this year, the monthly mobile pantry events at UNT Dallas have provided approximately 140,000 pounds of food to more than 1,500 families and 7,000 people. Long lines usually form on University Hills Blvd. well before the gates open.

UNT Dallas has partnered with NTFB since 2020, hosting monthly mobile food distributions on campus. Each event is supported by student, faculty, and staff volunteers, providing relief to campus and community members. The university also operates the Trailblazers Care Pantry, an on-campus resource that provides groceries, hygiene products, and a Career Closet for students preparing for interviews or internships.

A recent Feeding America study found that Texas has the highest number of food-insecure people of any state, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area ranks third in the nation. Within NTFB’s 12-county service area, nearly 744,000 people, including more than 250,000 children, don’t always know where their next meal will come from. Over 60 percent of that population lives in Dallas County.

The July 18 food distribution is first-come, first-served, and no ID or pre-registration is required. Participants must arrive in a vehicle, as this is a drive-through-only event. It'll run from 8-11 am, or while supplies last, at the UNT Dallas campus in southern Dallas, at 7300 University Hills Blvd.

Loading...