Feeding the Future: The Social Infrastructure of a Connected Texas

DALLAS, TX – December 08, 2025 – As cities across Texas race to build the smart infrastructure of tomorrow—laying fiber, deploying 5G, and optimizing traffic with AI—a more fundamental network is being tested like never before: the one that puts food on the table. This holiday season, a significant philanthropic effort is highlighting the critical role of this social infrastructure, demonstrating that a truly connected future must first be a nourished one.

For the second consecutive year, trial attorney and philanthropist Thomas J. Henry has launched the 'Feast of Texas' initiative, a statewide campaign providing over 3.5 million meals to families facing hunger. A cornerstone of this effort is a $125,000 donation to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), a contribution that will fund 375,000 meals for children, seniors, and families across a region grappling with an acute hunger crisis.

“The holidays are a time for family and gratitude, but we know that for far too many Texans, the season can bring hardship rather than comfort,” Thomas J. Henry stated. “With this second annual Feast of Texas, we’re renewing our commitment to ensuring that every family, whether in the big city or a remote rural county, has a reason to feel cared for and connected.”

A Statewide Lifeline in a Hunger Crisis

The 'Feast of Texas' is not a fleeting act of charity but the evolution of a three-decade commitment. What began over 30 years ago as a local turkey giveaway in the Coastal Bend has scaled into a strategic, statewide response to a staggering problem. The initiative now partners with a network of major food banks, including those in Houston, San Antonio, and Central Texas, creating a logistical lifeline that spans 92 Texas counties.

This coordinated effort comes at a moment of dire need. Recent data reveals that Texas now leads the nation in food insecurity, with a rate of 16.4%, affecting nearly 5 million individuals. The situation is even more alarming for children, with nearly one in four (22.8%) in Texas facing hunger. These are not just statistics; they represent communities under immense strain, where the promise of a connected, prosperous future feels distant.

Factors including the expiration of pandemic-era aid, historic inflation, and recent disruptions like the government shutdown have created a perfect storm. Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, expressed deep gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its timeliness. "The holidays can be especially challenging for neighbors already struggling to make ends meet, and many families are still recovering from the impact of the recent government shutdown," she said. "This contribution from Thomas J. Henry will provide much-needed relief to the children, families and older adults facing hunger across North Texas."

The Unseen Infrastructure of Community Resilience

While discussions of urban innovation often center on digital connectivity, the work of the North Texas Food Bank and its partners represents an equally vital form of infrastructure. This is the resilient, adaptive network that sustains communities when other systems falter. The NTFB operates across a vast 13-county service area, coordinating a complex logistical operation through a network of nearly 500 food pantries and community organizations.

This network is the physical manifestation of community resilience. It moves millions of pounds of food, from fresh produce to shelf-stable goods, to precisely where it is needed most. When economic shocks occur, this is the system that absorbs the immediate impact, preventing widespread hardship. The organization’s ability to convert every dollar donated into three meals is a testament to the efficiency of this deeply embedded infrastructure—an efficiency that rivals many commercial supply chains.

The need for such a robust system is undeniable. NTFB's service area constitutes the nation's fourth-largest area of food insecurity. The annual meal gap—the number of meals missing from the tables of food-insecure individuals—has surged to over 146 million, a significant increase from 113 million in 2021. Food banks alone cannot fill this void, but their role as a foundational support system is irreplaceable.

A Microcosm of Need and Impact in North Texas

Nowhere is the reality of this crisis more apparent than in North Texas, where 1 in 6 people, including over 286,000 children, do not know where their next meal will come from. The issue is further compounded by significant racial disparities, with Black (28%) and Hispanic (20%) residents experiencing food insecurity at disproportionately high rates.

The lines at food distribution events tell a story of urgent need. It is not uncommon for residents to arrive hours before a distribution begins, some as early as 4:30 AM for a 9:00 AM event, underscoring the daily anxiety faced by thousands. For these families, the 'Feast of Texas' donation is more than a statistic; it is tangible relief. It is the holiday meal they thought they might have to skip. It is the ability to provide healthy food for a child with specific dietary needs without having to choose between groceries and rent.

One community member at a recent distribution noted that the food would "go a long way," a sentiment echoed by many who see these events as a critical lifeline. Another called it a "blessing for the community," highlighting how it alleviates the impossible choices that have become commonplace for too many households. The 'Feast of Texas' donation directly fuels this on-the-ground impact, ensuring NTFB's network of partners is stocked and ready to meet the heightened demand of the holiday season.

Philanthropy as a Catalyst for Connection

The 'Feast of Texas' initiative serves as a powerful model for how sustained, strategic philanthropy can reinforce and expand this essential social infrastructure. By establishing a multi-year, multi-regional commitment, Thomas J. Henry’s firm is not just writing a check; it is investing in the long-term resilience of Texas communities. This approach recognizes that complex social problems like hunger require more than one-off interventions; they demand consistent and reliable support that allows organizations like NTFB to plan, scale, and innovate.

This model of collaborative, large-scale giving demonstrates how the private sector can partner effectively with the nonprofit sector to address systemic challenges. It bridges gaps—not just in meals, but in hope and connection. As Henry noted, the goal is to ensure every Texan feels “cared for and connected,” a mission that aligns perfectly with the foundational principles of a truly smart and humane city.

As Texas continues to build its future, it is critical to recognize that the strength of its digital and physical infrastructure is ultimately dependent on the well-being of its people. Initiatives like the 'Feast of Texas' are not separate from the project of building connected cities; they are an integral part of it, laying a foundation of stability and nourishment upon which all other progress can be built.