Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions

Written By Shelly Morse

Mission: The mission of the Coalition is to empower all Dallas County residents to gain equitable access to healthy food. 

The Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions (DCHS) was created in 2012, chaired by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, and spearheaded by the Texas Hunger Initiative, the North Texas Food Bank and several other nonprofits and religious organizations that make up the Leadership Team. Through five different Action Teams, we bring together community leaders who are engaged in the work of addressing hunger and poverty to take action in a collaborative setting.  

Established: 2012
Geographic Focus: Dallas County, TX
Leadership Structure: The Coalition is guided by a Leadership Team which includes the chairs of the five Action Teams. The Leadership Team meets separately from the coalition’s Action Teams to provide guidance, continuity, and strategic direction for collective impact. (Two-tiered Leadership Structure)
Coalition Coordinator: Formal - Funded Staff Support and Coordination
Community Assessment: Senior Hunger Community Assessment
General Coalition Projects: DCHS Annual Dallas Hunger Summit

…strategy assessment is valuable every two to three years. We held two strategic retreats (2014 and 2017) to evaluate what was working well and our accomplishments, what wasn't working well, and what needs to be changed or improved. -Wyonella Henderson-Greene, Coalition Specialist - DCHS

 

Action Teams

Senior Hunger Action Team

Action Team Projects: Senior Hunger Community Assessment & Senior SNAP Access Task Force 

Co-Chairs: Katie Dickinson, The Senior Source and Mark Edwards, Dallas County Older Adult Services Program

Child Hunger Action Team

Action Team Projects: School Breakfast & After School Supper Program 

Co-Chairs: Jenny Eyer, American Heart Association and Taylor Hanna, North Texas Food Bank

Faith Community Action Team

Action Team Projects: Hunger Solutions for the Faith Community, a toolkit for congregations.

Co-Chairs: Dabney Dwyer, Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and Chelsie Hoard, Dallas Baptist Association

Urban Agriculture Action Team

Action Team Projects: A Guide to Getting Started: Urban Agriculture in Dallas and Harvesting & Selling: A Guide for New, Small Urban Producers 

Co-Chairs: Susie Marshall, GROW North Texas and Candace Thompson, Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center

Public Policy Action Team

Action Team Projects: Advocating for Access to Healthy Nutrition & Policy Round Table Discussions 

Co-Chairs: Denise Gomez, Children's Health and Sara Albert, Food Policy Consultancy

 

Coalition Resources

Resources
Senior Hunger Action Team Strategic Planning Process

Example outline of a strategic planning process for a coalition action team.

2020 Dallas Hunger Summit Virtual Event Flyer

Program flyer example from the DCHS annual summit, includes the agenda and sponsor information.

2019 Dallas Hunger Summit Program

Program flyer example from the DCHS annual summit, includes the agenda and sponsor information.

2018 Dallas Hunger Summit Program

Program flyer example from the DCHS annual summit, includes the agenda and sponsor information.

2017 Dallas Hunger Summit Program

Program flyer example from the DCHS annual summit, includes the agenda and sponsor information.

Example Leadership Team Meeting Agenda

Example coalition meeting agenda and meeting recap.

DCHS Leadership Team Operating Strategies

An example of a coalitions operating strategies to support the leadership teams structure and activities.

DCHS Faith Action Team 2-Year Plan (Logic Model)

An example of a completed two year planning template/logic model for the Faith Community Action Team.

DCHS Action Plan Template (Logic Model)

A blank example of a planning template/logic model for action teams to use in guiding their efforts.

Coordinating a Coalition: What works for me!

A Case Study by Wyonella Henderson-Greene, Coalition Coordinator - Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions.

 

Coalition Stories

Network Stories
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For Oak Cliff: Serving the 75216 Superblock

The Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions supports For Oak Cliff in establishing a meal distribution site working to close the meal gap for the residents of the 75216 Superblock area in Dallas, Texas.

HFCC Network COVID-19 Response
HFCC Network COVID-19 Response

HFCC Network members adapt to challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by adjusting service operations and establishing new partnerships with organizations to enhance resource access.

Addressing Senior Needs in an Urban Environment Through a Community Assessment
Addressing Senior Needs in an Urban Environment Through a Community Assessment

The Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions Senior Hunger Action Team develops a task force for conducting a month-long community assessment among the older adult population of Dallas County in coordination with over 30 organizational partners, the coalition collects more than 1500 surveys and coordinates 5 focus groups to understand the barriers and needs the community is facing.

Eating Well is a Snap
Eating Well is a Snap

The Senior Hunger Action Team of the Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions works with District 12 Commissioner Marlene Cohen to develop a program for seniors to learn how to maximize the economic and nutritional benefits of the SNAP program.

 

Connect with the Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions

Public Meeting Schedule

Action Teams meet bimonthly, quarterly and as needed. Check the website for dates, times and details of upcoming meetings.

The Dallas Hunger Summit is held annually in mid-September. Check the website for information about the date, time and conference details.

 
 
Shelly Morse
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