Dallas Nonprofit Accused of Failing to Deliver Promised Student Meals

Hunger Busters organization under investigation after schools report no food deliveries for over a year

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A Dallas nonprofit organization called Hunger Busters is facing allegations that it failed to provide the daily brown-bag meals it claimed to be delivering to thousands of food-insecure students in the Dallas Independent School District. A local news investigation found evidence that the organization was taking money while not actually fulfilling its stated mission, leading the board to call for the CEO's resignation and launch an independent forensic accounting investigation.

Why it matters

The Hunger Busters case raises concerns about accountability and transparency in the nonprofit sector, especially when it comes to organizations claiming to serve vulnerable populations like food-insecure students. It also highlights the importance of thorough vetting and oversight to ensure that charitable donations and grants are being used as intended.

The details

According to reports, Hunger Busters has been operating in West Dallas for 25 years and claimed its mission was to provide meals for 'food-insecure' students in the Dallas Independent School District. The organization had many notable figures on its board and ran numerous charity events to raise money. However, a local news investigation found that many schools had not even heard of Hunger Busters, and those that had reported not receiving any food deliveries for over a year. The trouble appeared to begin in 2023 when Latame Phillips became the CEO after starting as a delivery driver. Phillips claimed they were feeding 3,500 students daily, but the Tyler Street Foundation, which had provided a grant to Hunger Busters, found that the organization had provided fake documentation and had not actually purchased the property it claimed to operate from.

  • In 2023, Latame Phillips became the CEO of Hunger Busters after starting as a delivery driver.
  • In 2024, Phillips applied for a grant through the Tyler Street Foundation to buy a van for the nonprofit.
  • The Tyler Street Foundation gave Hunger Busters $116,200 to make both the van purchase and to buy the property the nonprofit operated from.
  • The Tyler Street Foundation later found that the van was a rental and Hunger Busters had not actually purchased the property.
  • The last food delivery to schools reported by some was over a year ago.

The players

Latame Phillips

The CEO of Hunger Busters since 2023, who claimed the organization was feeding 3,500 students daily.

Hunger Busters

A Dallas nonprofit organization that claimed its mission was to provide meals for 'food-insecure' students in the Dallas Independent School District, but is now under investigation for allegedly failing to deliver on that promise.

Tyler Street Foundation

A foundation that provided a $116,200 grant to Hunger Busters, which later found the organization had provided fake documentation and had not actually purchased the property it claimed to operate from.

Vivian Skinner

The president of the Tyler Street Foundation, who became suspicious when she saw the van Hunger Busters had purchased with the grant funds.

Dallas Independent School District

The school district that Hunger Busters claimed to be serving, but many of whose schools reported not receiving any food deliveries from the organization for over a year.

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What they’re saying

“I look at the kids that we serve, and they remind me of myself.”

— Latame Phillips, CEO, Hunger Busters (KTVT-TV)

“There was just a magnetic sign stuck on it that said 'Tyler Street Foundation supports Hunger Busters.' We really began to be curious. There was just something about that day that seemed off.”

— Vivian Skinner, President, Tyler Street Foundation (KTVT-TV)

What’s next

The Hunger Busters board has said it has 'unanimously approved an independent forensic accounting investigation' and plans on 'restructuring the organization to strengthen financial oversight, operation, and internal controls.' The organization's website and social media accounts have been shut down as the investigation continues.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of rigorous oversight and accountability measures for nonprofit organizations, especially those claiming to serve vulnerable populations. It underscores the need for thorough vetting of nonprofit claims and the responsible use of charitable donations and grant funding to ensure they are being used as intended to benefit the communities they serve.