Author: Michael Hetrick

Bell Elementary makes surprise gift during East Texas Giving Day

ETGD_Bell Elementary

During East Texas Giving Day in April, a record 2.8 million dollars was raised for nonprofit organizations in East Texas. Thanks to our generous donors and matching funds, the East Texas Food Bank was able to raise a remarkable $63,366 dollars to help with our mission of fighting hunger and feeding hope. Those funds  will help provide over 50,000 meals to the families we help.

One gift, however, came as an unexpected surprise.

Bell Elementary Principal Tamara Johnson gave us a call to say the school wanted to donate to the East Texas Food Bank for East Texas Giving Day. Bell Elementary is in Tyler Independent School District.

“Every year before COVID, our campus would host a Jingle Bell Run to raise money to benefit a student who may have been in a health crisis,” Johnson said. “Because of COVID this year, we were not able to go through the process like we normally would for one of our students.”

It was decided the funds would go to the food bank instead.

“The food bank feeds over 100 students here each Friday through the BackPack Program,” Johnson said. “We thought this would still benefit our students and our community with the donation.”

The BackPack Program was created to fill the meal gap on the weekends and extended breaks for students that rely on free and reduced meal programs through school. Staff and faculty members at school campuses, such as Bell, choose which children join the program, based on an assessment of need. On Fridays, participating children each receive a backpack filled with nutritious, kid-friendly items such as fruit, juice, cereal bars and shelf-stable milk to help last them until Monday morning, when school meal programs resume.

The Bell donation to the food bank totaled $10,375.86.

“We were absolutely thrilled to give to the food bank,” Johnson said. “We see your efforts in the community and we wanted to have a greater impact.”

“This gift from Bell Elementary will ensure that the children, families and seniors we serve have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive,” said East Texas Food Bank CEO Dennis Cullinane. “We are so grateful to the staff, students and parents for thinking of us during this day of community giving.”

College students may be eligible for SNAP benefits under temporary program

College students are not exempt from facing hunger. In fact, 39% of students at two-year institutions and 29% at four-year institutions were reported as not having proper access to food in a recent study by The Hope Center. According to Every Texan, “71% of undergraduate college students are single parents, come from low-income families, or work at least half-time, making this the first time in history that lower-income students are enrolling in college at higher rates than their middle-income classmates.”

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides a defensive to help combat hunger. However, most full-time students are not eligible to receive benefits. Of those eligible, only 4 out of 10 are enrolled.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress made temporary adjustments to SNAP to remove restrictions and allow more students to qualify for benefits. Eligibility is determined by the following:

  • Student must be enrolled at least half-time in a higher education institution (college, university or trade/technical school).
  • Student must participate in state or federally funded work-study during the school year OR
  • Student has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 0 in the current academic year
    (Any student who receives the maximum Pell Grant has an EFC of 0).

Documentation such as a financial aid award letter, letter from school, Student Aid Report (SAR) or unemployment documentation may need to be provided to verify benefit eligibility. The new, temporary exemptions will be in effect until 30 days after the federal government lifts the official designation of the nationwide COVID-19 public health emergency.

Our Benefits Assistance Team at the East Texas Food Bank can help you or someone you know determine qualification for these important benefits. Click here to fill out a Benefits Assistance Request and a representative will follow up with you.

Fresh produce helps Barronda’s family

Barronda_blog

“Everything I get is important. I have cancer.”

That’s what Barronda shared with us during a recent produce distribution.

“My treatments take up a lot of my income,” she said. “So this helps balance things out for me and my family.”

Barronda said that because of her cancer and COVID, she wasn’t able to get out much. She appreciated the ability to drive-thru for the produce.

“It goes smooth and quick,” she said. “It’s so easy because I don’t have to get out of my car.”

Barronda told us she uses everything she gets as well. Her favorites are the cabbage and carrots.

“Nothing goes to waste,” she said adding that her daughter and grandson live with her as well.

Without volunteers, Barronda knows she would not be able to receive this fresh produce. She wanted to be sure they understood how grateful she was for their time.

“Thank you to the volunteers and to the food bank,” she said. “This is a big blessing. I teach my grandchildren about the value of giving back to others.”

To support East Texas families like Barronda, you can make a donation here or view all our volunteer opportunities and sign up here.

 

*Picture changed to protect privacy

9 Easy Ways to Eat More Vegetables Everyday

It can be easier than you may think to eat more vegetables throughout your day. Eating vegetables is important because they provide vitamins and minerals and most are low in calories. To fit more vegetables in your meals, we’re encouraging them as snacks as well, not just meals. Here are 9 easy ways you can eat more vegetables every day:

  1. Discover Fast Ways to Cook- Cook fresh or frozen vegetables in the microwave for a quick-and-easy dish to add to any meal. Steam green beans, carrots, or broccoli in a bowl with a small amount of water in the microwave for a quick side dish.
  1. Be Ahead of the Game- Cut up a batch of bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli. Pre-package them to use when time is limited. You can enjoy them on a salad, with a hummus dip, or in a veggie wrap.
  1. Choose Vegetables Rich in Color- Brighten your plate with vegetables that are red, orange, or dark green. They are full of vitamins and minerals. Try acorn squash, cherry tomatoes, sweet potatoes, or collard greens. They not only taste great but also are good for you, too.
  1. Check the Freezer Aisle- Frozen vegetables are quick and easy to use and are just as nutritious as fresh veggies. Try adding frozen vegetables, such as corn, peas, green beans, or spinach to your favorite dish. Look for frozen vegetables without added sauces, gravies, butter, or cream.
  1. Stock Up on Veggies- Canned vegetables are a great addition to any meal, so keep on hand canned tomatoes, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, mushrooms, and beets. Select those labeled as “reduced sodium,” “low sodium,” or “no salt added.”
  1. Make Your Garden Salad Glow with Color- Brighten your salad by using colorful vegetables such as black beans, sliced red bell peppers, shredded radishes, chopped red cabbage or carrots. Your salad will not only look good but taste good, too.
  1. Sip on Some Vegetable Soup- Heat it and eat it. Try tomato, butternut squash, or garden vegetable soup. Look for reduced- or low-sodium soups. Make your own soups with a low-sodium broth and your favorite vegetables.
  1. While You’re Out- If dinner is away from home, no need to worry. When ordering, ask for an extra side of vegetables or side salad instead of the typical fried side dish. Ask for toppings and dressings on the side.
  1. Savor the Flavor of Seasonal Vegetables- Buy vegetables that are in season for maximum flavor at a lower cost. Check your local supermarket specials for the best-in-season buys. Or visit your local farmer’s market.

For more healthy tips, follow us on Facebook and find more nutrition education tips and recipes here.  

The tips featured in this blog post were developed by the USDA. For more information, visit myplate.org.

ETFB, Mission Carthage feeding our communities – together

Mission Carthage is a hub of hope for rural Panola County. Since last March, they have been shielding thousands of East Texans from the impacts of the pandemic and poverty. Executive Director Jennifer Randall talks about her organization’s vital partnership with East Texas Food Bank:

“It’s not enough to say ‘thank you,’ but these are the words we’ve got! The East Texas Food Bank made it possible for us to continue to feed people in need when we thought we might have to close our doors. That idea hurt so much. It’s a passion of ours to give people hope and help their tears stop flowing for a day. A lot of people would go hungry if we weren’t here.”

“With the East Texas Food Bank’s support, we have stayed open! It miraculously feels like the loaves and fishes sometimes—even when we’re serving about 100 more families every month.”

“They provide lots of shelf-stable food like canned vegetables, peanut butter, baking mixes, rice, pasta and spaghetti sauce. We give every family some of this, like the grandma in her 70s who’s raising her 16-year-old grandson. He wanted to get a job to help out at home, but then COVID-19 hit. This food helps them so much right now.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to the East Texas Food Bank for helping us love our neighbors!”

We’re also thankful—for you! Like Jennifer says, “This is a group effort to feed our communities.” We simply couldn’t do it without you.

You can make a difference in the fight against hunger in East Texas right now! Make an online gift, sign up to volunteer or hold a virtual food drive for your business or organization.