Members of Chi Alpha, a Christian-based student organization, volunteered earlier this month at the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) to stop hunger.

These students make up one part of the bigger group of TCU student volunteers that TAFB receives.

“They’re part of a larger organization of volunteers but we really have a lot of students from TCU coming down here to help us out,” TAFB director of volunteer services Linda Smith said.

Smith said last year TAFB had 25,000 volunteers.

Some students said they like to volunteer at TAFB because it provides a new opportunity.

“It’s such a cool opportunity to do volunteer work,” said Mary McKellar, a junior Chi Alpha member. “We don’t really get that chance as college students usually doing homework.”

This particular volunteer opportunity inspires students like Tyler Casteel-Provost, a senior Chi Alpha member, because of how many people TAFB serves.

“It’s amazing to see how much food they get out to people,” Casteel-Provost said.

Smith said that last year the TAFB was able to provide food to nearly half a million people.

These people have a large age range from senior citizens to children. TAFB’s website shares that 1 in 4 children in Tarrant County are food insecure, as well as 1 in 5.5 Tarrant County residents.

Volunteers, like those from Chi Alpha, said they hope they can help people in ways other than just providing them food.

“I think even outside of Chi Alpha, people have a heart to serve and see people succeed,” Casteel-Provost said.

 TAFB encourages those who are passionate about the cause to either volunteer or donate.