North Texas Food Bank organized camp on Monday

Dallas - The North Texas Food Bank launched its first-ever summer camp for children last Monday, offering an educational experience for approximately twenty young attendees on the pressing issue of food shortages.

Elizabeth Campo, a North Texas Food Bank volunteer specialist, said to NBC DFW that, "In North Texas, we have one of the highest rates of food insecurity in children." Campo stressed the importance for children to comprehend the struggles their peers might be going through, highlighting the grim fact that every fifth child in North Texas grapples with food insecurity.

To help the campers understand the grim reality of these numbers, the North Texas Food Bank Kids Camp adopts a unique method. It employs play money as a learning tool, encouraging campers to visualize budget distribution and understand the meager amount often left for food.

Dallas resident and eleven-year-old Austin Monroy distilled the lesson simply and empathetically.

"So it's kind of like the golden rule: treat others like you want to be treated," he said.

He added that it was imperative to support those who might struggle to afford food after meeting their basic expenses.

The camp also includes a tour of the food bank warehouse, giving the children a first-hand view of the trajectory their donated food items take before reaching those who need them most. In addition, the campers learn practical skills such as packing meals for distribution and gain insights into self-reliance through gardening.

"I've learned that you should give people food 'cause you don't really experience what they've went through," said 8-year-old Phoenix Badon, of Dallas. "I hope they enjoy it."

"I think it's just beautiful to hear such young minds thinking that already," Campo said. "I just hope as they grow they continue to learn that they can give back. Every dollar makes a difference and every minute makes a difference."

The North Texas Food Bank Kids Camp holds its enlightening sessions every Monday, welcoming a new group of campers each week. A minimal fee of $30 covers the camp's expenses and also allows the food bank to offer 90 meals. For more information or to sign up for this impactful initiative, visit the North Texas Food Bank's website.

Content credit: North Texas Food Bank, NBC-DFW, Dallas Metro News