Where Hunger Meets Hope: West Aid Moves Into Las Vegas Trail Health Hub

West Aid Food Pantry has been a staple in Southwest Fort Worth for 40 years, helping to fill the plates of those unsure of where their next meal would come from. Over the years, this vital food-security resource has relocated several times to retrofitted sites throughout the area, often moving for more functional space.

Now, the organization has a new home―one thoughtfully designed and customized to support its operations and enhance the experience of those it serves. Located at the new neighborhood health center serving the Las Vegas Trail area, West Aid joins JPS Health Network, Cook Children’s Health Care System, The City of Fort Worth, and LVTRise in a landmark collaboration aimed at ending the area’s long-standing status as a food and health care desert.

The more centralized location brings West Aid closer to the majority of those in its service area, which comprises seven zip codes—76107, 76108, 76109, 76114, 76116, 76126 and 76008. Each year, West Aid provides food for about 10,000 Fort Worth households. In 2024, the organization distributed goods valued at more than $1 million.

William Pherigo, MRE, has been the executive director of West Aid for 30 years. He believes integrating the food pantry into the center is a natural fit.

“Food is medicine, so it just makes sense with how important food and nutrition are to health that West Aid is located at the center,” Pherigo said. “It just completes the health and wellness circle there.”

Poor nutrition can lead to a wide range of chronic health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, as well as fragile mental and emotional health. But when faced with a lack of convenient food sources and limited financial resources, it’s not always easy to find or afford healthy food options. In Las Vegas Trail, 32% of people live below the poverty level. For those that don’t, many still struggle to afford the basics of housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care and technology, according to West Aid.

“It's important that people know that food security can affect a lot of different people,” Pherigo said. “I think sometimes people decide that those who need help with food live on another side of town or in somebody else's neighborhood. But we see people that may just come once or twice, and that's all. They just need a little help. There are different reasons why people find themselves needing our services.”

Kenneth Janak began volunteering with West Aid last year following his retirement from Texas Christian University where he was the senior associate athletic director and chief financial officer for athletics. Twice a week, Janak picks up donations from an area grocer and delivers them to West Aid.

“I knew when I retired, I couldn't be one of those people who sit around and watch TV all day,” Janak said. “My goal is to do something for my body, mind, and soul every day. Sometimes the soul part means going out and helping others. And, by the way, I'm over there lifting these crates of food that are 40 and 50 pounds. So it's helping my body all at the same time. But to be around there for over a year now, it makes me realize how important it is that we all work together to help each other.”

Janak is most excited about the new and improved experience visitors will have as they shop the shelves.

“The new space is built specifically for us,” Janak said. “It has amazing cold storage with a big separate walk-in refrigerator and a big separate walk-in freezer. So now we can do what the grocery stores do. You step up to the refrigerator and open the glass door and pull out your milk, and the workers are stocking it from behind. That's what we're able to do now. We didn't have that kind of capacity before. I love the new space.”

The support for West Aid guests doesn’t stop with groceries. After all, what is the value of a bag full of nutritious food if you don’t know how to prepare it or have the cooking resources to do so? This is where the center’s demonstration kitchen and full-time on-site dietitian will complete the food security circle. The kitchen is designed to welcome LVT residents for cooking classes and nutrition counseling and education. Here, guests will learn how to choose and prepare healthy meals on a budget using everything from a hot plate, microwave or crock pot to a full cooking range and oven.

West Aid and the center's partners are doing more than handing out groceries. They’re ensuring that no one in Las Vegas Trail has to wonder where their next meal—or their next chance at wellness—will come from. Visit West Aid’s website to learn more about how you can help.