Texas Health and TDIndustries Open First Healthy Hub at Dallas ISD School

Texas Health and TDIndustries Inaugurate Dallas ISD Healthy Hub

In a significant step towards enhancing nutrition security in the Dallas area, Texas Health Resources and TDIndustries have officially launched their first Good For You Healthy Hub at Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School. Supported by a generous five-year grant from TDIndustries and a donation from the Jack Lowe family, this initiative aims to provide free access to fresh produce and healthy resources for students and their families in the local community.

A Community-Centric Approach

The Good For You Healthy Hub is a vital part of Texas Health’s Community Hope initiative, which focuses on improving the overall health of communities through a wide array of impactful programs and collaborations. Operating primarily within schools and community centers, the Healthy Hub is designed to serve between 70 to 150 families. Residents can choose from a selection of groceries as if they were shopping at a traditional market, a unique approach that normalizes access to healthy food options.

This Healthy Hub not only provides fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost, but it also offers recipe cards, nutrition education workshops, and various resources aimed at helping families maximize their use of the provided produce.

Commitment to Community Welfare

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the launch of this Healthy Hub included both TDIndustries and Lowe family representatives who expressed their dedication to improving community welfare. Steve Cunningham, the Chief People Officer of TDIndustries, highlighted that their collaboration honors the legacy of Jack Lowe Sr., the company’s founder, who was instrumental in advocating for educational equality in Dallas.

Cunningham remarked, “Supporting this Healthy Hub is a meaningful way to continue the values Jack Lowe Sr. instilled in our company. We aim to empower children and their families to thrive physically, emotionally, and socially.” He added that TDIndustries strives to go beyond mere construction and to actively enrich the communities in which they operate.

Addressing Local Needs

Principal Crystal Cavitt of Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School shared deeper insights about the community served by the Healthy Hub. She noted, “Our school is a melting pot, with over 17 different languages spoken and more than 20 countries represented among our students.” Cavitt acknowledged the significant challenges facing many families, including access to healthy foods and wellness resources.

“Those challenges are not just barriers to education, but barriers to thriving,” she continued, expressing gratitude to TDIndustries, the Lowe family, and Texas Health for providing essential resources directly to the families who need them most.

Lasting Legacy of Jack Lowe Sr.

The Lowe family looks forward to carrying on the ethos of Jack Lowe Sr. through initiatives like the Healthy Hub. Jack Lowe Jr. articulated his father’s values, stating, “My father was more than just the founder of TDIndustries; he epitomized principles of courage and compassion. This Healthy Hub is a concrete expression of those values.” He believes it will have a far-reaching impact, strengthening families and building a better community for future generations.

Since its inception in 2020, the Good For You Healthy Hub program has expanded to 21 locations, currently serving areas in Arlington, Fort Worth, and Euless, successfully distributing nearly 1.27 million pounds of produce to about 265,000 individuals.

The initiative has included various other support efforts as well, such as enhancing the school's playground through volunteer work from TDIndustries, hosting book fairs to improve students’ access to quality reading material, and constructing a learning garden to foster educational experiences about nature and sustainability.

According to Matt Dufrene, Texas Health’s Vice President of Healthy People, Healthy Communities, the organization recognizes that enhancing nutrition security is crucial for the well-being of families and communities. With ongoing support from partners like TDIndustries, the program intends to help even more families reap the benefits of fresh produce and healthy foods in the years to come.

For individuals interested in supporting the Good For You Healthy Hub at Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School, they can visit the designated donation page to contribute to this important community effort. To learn more about the program and other initiatives aimed at improving nutrition security, please visit Texas Health's official site.