Author: Michael Hetrick

Being a light in a time of need

My name is Coby, and I’m a salon owner here in Tyler. The coronavirus left me out of work for a time. I was grateful to spend more time with my children to help with their schoolwork, but I also had more time to stress and worry about bills and all the uncertainty. That’s why I decided to volunteer.

I felt like it was a time to be safe, but also a time to help if I could. I saw an ad on TV about East Texas Food Bank providing meals and I immediately called to offer my help.

From talking to people in our community here, I have realized what dark times this is for so many. I hope people see there is a light and that you can help someone in need.

You see the best in people in the worst of times. We’re determined to be part of the best by helping the East Texas Food Bank. I think together, we can help each other get through these difficult times.

We are so grateful to Coby and all our volunteers for being so generous with their time! You have all been a vital part of East Texas recovering and growing stronger through challenging circumstances.

To learn more about how you can volunteer, click here.

Helping seniors stay healthy and thrive

I’m Nadia, and even though I haven’t had coronavirus, it has impacted my day-to-day life. Receiving a food box from the senior delivery program has helped me so much. Before they came with the food box, I was running low on canned goods because I can’t go to pantries right now when I need help.

I work in at-home healthcare, and they don’t want us going into homes right now. I haven’t been able to work like I usually do.

I have diabetes and high blood pressure, so I’m staying home and not visiting my family or grandchildren. It’s very difficult when you are used to working and being out and about.

The food box I’ve received makes such a big difference for me right now. I have rice, canned peaches, peas, corn and more. I’m so appreciative to all the donors that make it possible. Thank you!

Your support is making a difference for seniors like Nadia across the East Texas area. Thank you for helping them have access to the food they need—delivered right to their door!

You’ve helped feed my family at a difficult time

My name is Beth, and I’m a single mom with a 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. My daughter has seizures, to the point where I cannot put her in day care and work, so I stay home to take care of my children. Providing enough food for them every day is a struggle.

When the stay-at-home orders began due to coronavirus, it made getting food even more difficult for us. The store was often out of supplies and even if they had everything, I couldn’t always afford what we needed with rising prices.

My daughter’s health concerns have kept us going back and forth to the doctor a lot recently, and that has been tough. We haven’t really been able to go anywhere else.

Your support helps me put food on the table.

It’s been pretty rough lately, and that’s why I started coming to the East Texas Food Bank drive-thru distributions, and the food boxes we receive here have been very important to us.

A friend suggested this food distribution to me, and I’ve been so grateful. I’m very thankful for everybody that has helped. My son enjoys getting to have the food, and he knows it’s helping us too. Thank you!

Your generosity and compassion mean so much to our East Texas neighbors in need. The food you provide helps families like Beth’s stay healthy and get through a challenging time. Click here to help provide more meals to families like Beth’s.

ETFB Employee Spotlight: Maureen Dobyns

Maureen is a receptionist and joined the East Texas Food Bank in February. Maureen said her favorite part of working here is getting to help people. She described how she can see and hear the worries people have when asking for help and added that she loves being the joyful voice to help them find the assistance they need.

Maureen is also bilingual and has been invaluable in helping us serve our neighbors who speak Spanish. Maureen learned to speak Spanish when she was living in Mexico for two years as a musician.

When she is not at work, Maureen continues her music by playing guitar and singing in church. She also like to draw and paint.

East Texas Food Bank honors seven recipients with inaugural Hunger Hero Awards

  • Brookshire Grocery Company

To recognize the outpouring of support from the community during the East Texas Food Bank’s crisis response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ETFB honored seven recipients with the inaugural Hunger Hero Awards.

Hunger Hero Awards were given to Brookshire Grocery Company, Longview Police Department, Smith County Government, Texas Army National Guard 1st Squadron 124th Calvary Regiment, The Mentoring Alliance, T.L.L. Temple Foundation and Tyler Police Department.

“Hunger existed in East Texas long before the pandemic hit and now more of our neighbors – kids in our children’s classes, the barista at the local coffee shop and our working-class neighbors– are struggling to put food on the table today,” said East Texas Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Dennis Cullinane. “We’re inspired by the support we’ve received from the community to help ensure that all East Texas have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive during these difficult times.”

The awards were given during Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month. The awareness month is every September and works to inspire community to take action and bring attention to the reality of Hunger in East Texas.

“It is the Tyler Police Department’s honor and privilege to fully support the highly professional and compassionate people of the East Texas Food Bank,” said Tyler Police Department Sergeant Matt Leigeber. “Our local government officials recognized early on with the COVID-19 pandemic, that many of our citizens in East Texas are facing extremely difficult times, many for the first time.  When the East Texas Food Bank requested to partner with the Tyler Police Department in order to safely and efficiently serve thousands of our citizens on a regular basis, we were excited to be a part of that.”

Hunger impacts people in every corner of the country, including 282,530 people, 105,850 of which are children, right here in East Texas. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of East Texans facing hunger increased five percent and the number of children increased 10 percent.

Before the pandemic hit, one in five East Texans, including one in four children, were facing hunger. According to projections from Feeding America, now it’s nearly one in four East Texans, including one in three children.

“For 92 years, Brookshire Grocery has been committed to causes including hunger relief in the communities where we live and work. Never has the need been more pervasive or sustained than during this pandemic. We are very grateful to have been able to partner with the East Texas Food Bank to help those who have been affected by the pandemic,” said Chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co. Brad Brookshire.

“Hunger is a crisis in East Texas that will take the whole communities’ support to fight. While the fight against hunger is ongoing- together, we can feed hope for our neighbors in need,” Cullinane said.