Program that feeds Dallas ISD students look to rebound after thieves steal HVAC system, pipes
DALLAS - After thieves temporarily shut down a program that provides dinners for thousands of Dallas ISD students plans are now in the works to build the organization a new facility.
An architect provided Hunger Busters with free plans for a building that would be more secure and could also house other non-profits alongside it.
"We want people in the community to feel welcome. Barbed wire doesn't give that feeling, but want to make sure we are safe," said Latame Phillips, the CEO of Hunger Busters.
Phillips showed FOX 4 the changes he's made at Hunger Busters since thieves stole their HVAC system and copper pipes in May.
Organizations reached out to donate a new system and install it.
"We are back to feeding kids and filling futures," Phillips said.
Now even bigger changes could be in the works.
"Multiple conversations took place and they came up with something I never could have imagined," Phillips said.
Architecture firm HKS donated plans for a 30,000-square-foot facility that would allow Hunger Busters to expand the number of kids it provides meals for, while also creating a network of non-profits in the Trinity Grove area of West Dallas.
"They reached out and said we would like to help you design a building that's fortified where this won't happen and kinda modernize it," said Phillips.
The $7,000,000 facility would also include a garden that would supply fresh fruits and vegetables.
"Every tree and plant on facility would be edible," Phillips noted.
He says the other non-profits on site would have resources for homeless children, as well as counseling services and a coat closet.
Thieves steal copper, equipment from non-profit that feeds hungry Dallas ISD students
Hunger Busters prepares meals for thousands of Dallas ISD kids who would otherwise go hungry. But the operation is now on hold after tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and copper was stolen over the weekend.
There have been no arrests in the case of the HVAC and copper thefts.
"I do hope and pray whoever did it can understand the devastation that it caused," Phillips said.
But good could now come out of the devastation.
"We're at the beginning of our capital campaign," Phillips said.
A fundraising gala for the facility is being held on Saturday, Nov. 4.
You can learn more about it here.