35th Annual Tyler ISD Pantry Raid
Tyler ISD students raised over 117,000 meals in the 2024 Tyler ISD Pantry Raid.
Total Raised in 2025
Tyler High and Tyler Legacy are coming together again this year before their big football rivalry to raise funds and food to support the East Texas Food Bank’s BackPack program as part of the 35th Annual Pantry Raid.
The East Texas Food Bank and the Tyler Independent School District host the annual event. Since the pantry raid began in 1991, students have raised more than 1.9 million meals.
“Child hunger is a concern in our region. According to new Feeding America Map the Meal Gap statistics, 1 in 4 East Texas children are food insecure,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Many student’s families depend on the ETFB BackPack program to help fill the weekend hunger gap, so we greatly appreciate the students for keeping this event going for 35 years!”
Last year students raised funds and food to provide 117,243 meals. Tyler High and Tyler Legacy students will collect food and funds over the next several weeks. Monetary donations will support ETFB’s programs that serve Tyler ISD students, such as the BackPack Program. More than 8,800 East Texas children receive BackPacks every weekend filled with nutritious, kid-friendly food.
“Our students look forward to this event every year as they know they are making a difference in helping some of their classmates who receive food assistance through the BackPack program,” said Jennifer Hines, Tyler ISD Chief Communications Officer. “Our school campuses come up with different ideas to encourage our families to participate while also teaching students the importance of giving back.”
The results are announced at halftime during the two Tyler school’s annual football game on Friday, September 5, at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.