Fighting Childhood Hunger with the North Texas Food Bank

Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel is uniting with law firms across North Texas to combat childhood hunger and food insecurity. Support our efforts by donating to the North Texas Food Bank today.

During April, the firm’s attorneys and staff are taking part in the North Texas Food Bank’s (NTFB) Food From The Bar challenge to collect funds and non-perishable food items. Last year, the drive raised $167,000 equal to 520,000 nutritious meals to neighbors facing hunger. This year, NTFB’s collective goal is to raise at least $225,000, in addition to exceeding the amount of food collected and volunteer time logged during last year’s campaign.

This is the firm’s fourth year to take part in the Food From The Bar (FFTB) challenge (previously known as Partners 4 Hope). The North Texas Food Bank describes the initiative as a “friendly competition” among law firms to spread awareness about food insecurity challenges that face children.

“The lawyers and staff at Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel view the practice of law as a fundamental public service,” said Caitlyn Silhan, a firm partner and Food From The Bar  co-leader. “This firm has a longstanding commitment to community welfare, both in Dallas and across the nation. We demonstrate that commitment through initiatives like Food From The Bar, as well as pro bono legal efforts.”

Last year, the Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel team clocked 37.5 volunteer hours at the food bank, raised over $12,595 in donations and collected non-perishable food to help feed hungry North Texans. Our firm was recognized as a Diamond Partner for our efforts. This year, our firm’s goals are to raise $15,000, collect 100 pounds of food, and volunteer for 50 hours.

Contributions raised during the Food From The Bar challenge help the NTFB provide essential meals and nutrition to school-age children, especially during the summer months when school meal programs are unavailable. Every dollar donated provides access to three nutritious meals to a hungry family. Online contributions to the team’s efforts can be made here.

“For children who rely heavily on meals provided by their schools, summer could mean going hungry if not for the North Texas Food Bank,” said WKPS human resources manager Allison Minter. “I’ve been a fan of the North Texas Food Bank for years, and it is an honor and a pleasure to get to join my coworkers in an effort to lessen summer hunger for local children.”

The North Texas Food Bank plays a crucial role in addressing hunger, especially for households ineligible for federal nutrition programs. The region has experienced a resurgence of food insecurity since the pandemic, underscoring the ongoing importance of organizations like the North Texas Food Bank.

Food insecurity by the numbers:

• Texas has the fourth highest level of food insecurity in the nation according to Feeding America.
• Hunger affects one in eight North Texans today.
• Among Texas children, one in five don’t know where their next meal will come from.
• 69 percent of people who are food insecure must make difficult choices between food and priorities like transportation costs, medical care and education.
• Children with hunger are at greater risk of poor academic performance, increased health problems and developmental difficulties.

“We stand behind the North Texas Food Bank and the many lawyers and law firms tackling hunger with the Food From The Bar challenge,” said WKPS partner and 2025 Food From The Bar co-leader Chris Johnson. “There is nothing more fundamental than for kids to have access to food. Our actions today will directly benefit children at risk of hunger during the summer months.”

Learn more about childhood hunger in North Texas at map.feedingamerica.org and ntfb.org/childprograms.