“I felt like I needed something to get me along for now.”

We spoke with Paul on a visit to an East Texas Food Bank partner pantry in November. Now in retirement, Paul said he usually visits the pantry once a month. However with the holidays coming up, he needed a bit extra to get by.

“My daughter and fiancé would normally be with me for Thanksgiving,” he said. “But not this year with the pandemic. We are all staying separated just in case.”

While Paul has not had any immediate members of his family affected by COVID-19, he did say that his daughter’s mother passed away from COVID-19 complications earlier this year.

“She was sickly already and by her immune system being down I think it took a toll on her,” he said. “It was tough to see. I was holding her hand while she was virtually dying.”

Paul said the food pantry serves a good purpose in the community and everything he receives comes in handy.

“I like the meats and the sweets,” he said laughing. “I have a bad sweet tooth!”

Paul wanted to say thank you to everyone that provides the food to those in need like him.

“You are doing a very good service to the community,” he said. “Without this, I don’t know what I would do. It’s tough out here.”

You can help us serve more families like Paul’s my donating, volunteering, educating others on our work and advocating for our programs.

“This has been tough. But this food is really a blessing.”

We met Gayle and her dog Ruby recently at one of our drive-thru produce distributions. Gayle said she has been coming for several months to pick up items for herself and her husband.

“We are both on social security,” Gayle said. “He has liver cancer and neither of us can work anymore. That’s why we need the help.”

Gayle told us that because of the pandemic, she and her husband have to stay home more now.

“We go to the doctor’s office, grocery store, pick up prescriptions,” she said. “That’s about it.”

Gayle said of her favorite items to receive is milk. She also added that she’s found several ways to use the apples she got recently.

“I’ve dried them. I’ve made cinnamon apples,” she said. “Tonight, I’m making applesauce with them.”

Gayle wanted to say thank you to everyone that makes the food distributions possible.

“From the bottom of two hearts, we thank you,” she said. “It’s been tough with his illness and not being able to work. This food is really a blessing. When this is all over, I want to volunteer to give back.”

Families like Gayle’s need our help in providing meals, especially during the holidays. Give now to the East Texas Food Bank and help provide more meals for our neighbors who are depending on us now.