ARLINGTON, Texas (November 20, 2025) – The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and Tarrant Area Food Bank collaborated with several community partners for the sixth straight year to host the 2025 edition of its Thanksgiving Mega Mobile Market on Thursday at AT&T Stadium.
 
The rain-soaked day did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of the elected officials, civic and community leaders and corporate partners who came together for the North Texas community to provide Thanksgiving-related meals for 4,700 families. In total, 376,000 pounds of food and 313,333 meals were distributed in Tarrant Area Food Bank's largest mass food distribution event of the year. Each box of nutritious food, approximately 80 pounds per family, included a turkey or two chickens, pantry items such as potatoes, carrots, cabbage and cornbread dressing and other non-perishable items needed to complete a holiday meal.
 
"This event underscores our commitment to the community for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and Cotton Bowl Foundation," said W. Kelvin Walker, Chair, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and Cotton Bowl Foundation. "Being able to serve alongside our partners and so many people in the community is why we exist. We are so much more than a game. With the proceeds from our game, we are able to invest in our community in things like this event."
 
"This event would not happen without the support from our sponsors and a lot of community support," said Julie Butner, President & Chief Executive Officer, Tarrant Area Food Bank. "This year, with the government shutdown and the pause on SNAP benefits, we have seen an increase in need at a faster rate than we saw even during the pandemic."
 
Recognizing this increased need, the Cotton Bowl Foundation and longtime Classic partner American Airlines more than doubled its annual joint donation to the ongoing efforts of Tarrant Area Food Bank to $50,000. That dollar amount equals 250,000 meals for North Texas families. In addition, the MW Cares Foundation donated $50,000 and the Tarrant County Commissioners Court donated $100,000 to support TAFB.

The Cotton Bowl Classic and Tarrant Area Food Bank once again captained a team of community partners that included support from AT&T Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys. Stadium and Cowboys employees along with 300 American Airlines staff members, CBAA Council and staff members, players from United Football League teams and representatives from various organizations worked the distribution lines. The Arlington Police and Fire departments managed and monitored the logistics for the four-hour distribution that was delayed for approximately 75 minutes in the middle due to lightning and heavy rain.

Albertsons/Tom Thumb committed $200,000 in protein and food to ensure the success of this distribution event. The protein and portions of the food distributed were secured by the collective efforts of Albertsons/Tom Thumb in collaboration with the MW Cares Foundation and MW Logistics.

"This is an event that we have done for five or six years and it's something that's near and dear to our team members' hearts," said Ron DeFeo, Executive Vice President, Communications and Marketing and Chief Communications Officer, American Airlines. "When the call comes out because help is needed, we have 300-400 people who answer that call immediately to help give back to those who need it."

The nearly 500 volunteers on hand were provided lunch from Raising Cane's courtesy of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. TAFB provided water and Classic partner TicketEStore provided snacks throughout the morning, as well as assisted in one of the distribution lines.

This Mega Mobile Market marked the sixth straight year that Tarrant Area Food Bank and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic teamed up to host a holiday distribution event and the seventh time the two organizations have collaborated to lead mass distribution events at AT&T Stadium. The seven Mega Mobile Markets at AT&T Stadium (November 2020, May 2021, November 2021, November 2022, November 2023, November 2024 and November 2025) have combined to provide food to 33,746 families.
 
"Food insecurities are a major priority for every community across the country," said Jim Ross, Mayor, City of Arlington. "Seeing how North Texas comes together with the direction of Tarrant Area Food Bank and all of these incredible sponsors and doing it here in Arlington, to take care of people in need, just warms your heart. This is something more than passing out food. This is about building a cohesive environment in North Texas. We are family here and we're going to stay family. That's what Arlington is about, that's what Tarrant County is about, that's what we do in North Texas."
 
Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) was founded in 1982 by a group of Fort Worth residents concerned about hunger in their community. One of the largest charitable organizations in its 13-county service area, TAFB provides over one million nutritious meals weekly and food & nutrition education programs to those facing hunger through its network of 400+ partner agencies, volunteers, and donors. As a member of Feeding America, TAFB empowers communities to alleviate hunger and improve health.
 
Follow the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and Cotton Bowl Foundation on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.