Luther Harris & family
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M E M O R I A M
Jan Pruitt Former Executive Director of North Texas Food Bank (1953 – 2017)
Jan Pruitt was a pioneer in the field of hunger relief and a true friend to St. Philip’s School and Community Center. She served nearly 20 years as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Texas Food Bank that expanded tremendously during her tenure. Pruitt’s effectiveness in the battle against hunger garnered her respect and accolades regionally and nationally. In fact, she received the John van Hengel Fellowship Award, Feeding America’s highest honor for the executive food bank leadership. “Jan ‘s mighty work led the nation in tackling hunger insecurity,” says Dr. Terry Flowers, St. Philip’s Perot Family Headmaster. “She led us all to view hunger as we would the rising of the sun. Just as sure as the sun rises each morning, hunger will be with us.” Flowers also shared that one of Pruitt’s strengths was her ability to collaborate. She helped initiate popular events that benefited North Texas Food Bank and created greater visibility for the hunger issues in our community, such as Taste of the NFL, Empty Bowls, and Restaurant Week. Our Community Pantry, the first pantry to be operated by North Texas Food Bank volunteers and staff, opened on St. Philip’s campus three years ago and has become what Pruitt hoped for in her remarks at the pantry’s grand opening – “a model for others and a catalyst for neighborhood transformation.” St. Philip’s School and Community Center considers itself blessed to be a part of Jan’s beautiful legacy and vision to end hunger in South Dallas and beyond. www.stphilips1600.org
SUMMER MAGAZINE 2017
28
