In a quiet but impactful way, WestAid Food Pantry has been feeding West Fort Worth for four decades. What started in 1985 as a collaborative response to hunger by local pastors has grown into a cornerstone nonprofit that served more than 15,000 individuals in 2024 alone. As it marks its 40th anniversary this year, WestAid continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community—rooted in compassion, driven by partnerships, and sustained by volunteers.
Founded under the Westside Ministerial Alliance and initially housed at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church, WestAid moved to Ridglea Presbyterian Church in 1987 and later transitioned into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2001. Since 2012, it has operated from its Camp Bowie West location. But this summer, WestAid will take a bold new step—joining forces with Cook Children’s and JPS Health Network at the new Las Vegas Trail (LVT) Community Health Center at 2800 Cherry Lane.
This 40,000-square-foot, two-story center will combine healthcare, job training, food access, and a police outpost under one roof—a pioneering model for holistic neighborhood support. “We were invited to participate in early planning meetings back in 2023,” said Executive Director William Pherigo, who has led the organization for more than 30 years. “Councilmember Michael Crain played a key role in including us. This partnership will help us tackle food insecurity as part of a larger wellness strategy for the area.”
While the new facility won’t increase square footage for WestAid, it offers better organization and long-term sustainability. “Being part of this co-located model will allow us to focus more on educational initiatives around nutrition and chronic disease prevention,” said Pherigo. “We’ll also benefit financially, with shared costs helping to offset government funding cuts.”
WestAid’s food supply comes from a mix of community support and institutional partnerships. “Our main source of inventory is Tarrant Area Food Bank,” said Beth Getchell, Community Engagement Director. “We also rely on food drives, local grocers, churches, and individual donors.”
Many of the churches that helped found WestAid remain actively involved. “Holy Family Catholic, All Saints Episcopal, Arlington Heights Methodist, and several others continue to support us through donations and volunteers,” Pherigo noted. “While we remain faith-based at our core, we’ve also adopted a small business mindset to ensure sustainability.”
Like many nonprofits, WestAid has faced financial challenges. “There have been tight weeks where the bills loomed large,” Pherigo acknowledged. “But thanks to conservative spending and a wide donor base, we’ve never missed a day of service.”
The new LVT Community Health Center symbolizes a future where collaboration defines community care. Beyond healthcare and food, the site will offer a children’s playground, a police storefront, and a demonstration kitchen for healthy cooking classes.
For those looking to contribute, WestAid welcomes both donations and volunteers. Visit westaid.org/donate or westaid.org/volunteers to get involved.
As WestAid celebrates 40 years of service, its mission remains clear: neighbors helping neighbors—and ensuring no one in West Fort Worth goes hungry.
