Having an impact for hungry Dallas-area kids: Crossroads Community Services.
Epic Cause
In Dallas, where food insecurity continues to affect thousands of individuals and families, Crossroads Community Services is working to build nutrition-stable communities. Originally founded out of First United Methodist Church, Crossroads has grown into a regional food distribution leader, providing more than 14 million pounds of food annually through their own pantry and a network of over 140 partner agencies. They also collaborate with institutions like UT Southwestern to lead nutrition-focused research and outreach.
One of Crossroads’ most impactful efforts is teaching families, especially children, how to recognize and use fresh, nutritious food—something many have never had access to.
“We had a little boy who picked up an apple and he had never seen one before, so he didn’t know what it was. He didn’t know how to eat it,” said Benaye Wadkins Chambers, President and CEO of Crossroads. “We’ve had similar stories of young ones who will take down an orange, and they get ready to bite into the orange because they don’t even know that you have to peel it.”
“For me, that is one of the most significant things that we offer to our families, and particularly the children and those parents who are trying to teach them, is what good healthy food looks like… once they have it, they want more of it.”
Epic Fan
In 2019, Crossroads moved its food market into a 72,000 square foot facility—ample space to meet growing demand. But the space came with aged and broken fans that had trouble keeping the space cool during intense Texas summers.
That’s where Epic Fans stepped in. Epic visited the facility, assessed the layout, and put together a plan to meet the organization’s needs.
“I always appreciate a partner who actually goes to the point of evaluating how their service is going to really impact the work of our organization and adjusting accordingly,” Chambers said.
Epic Result
With proper airflow now circulating through the massive warehouse, Crossroads can protect both its food and its people.
“Our focus is service with dignity, so we want them to have the same dignified approach to selecting their food items and participating in their grocery experience as they would get if they were paying for it in a grocery store,” Chambers said.
Better circulation also helps with pest prevention, temperature stability, and creating a safer, more comfortable space for staff, volunteers, and the families they serve.
With their fan problem solved, Crossroads was able to focus directly on what matters most: food and caring for their guests.
“Because of Epic’s help, we can focus on food and resources that our families need the most,” said Chambers. “Epic’s help was critical and extraordinary at the same time.”