East Texas Food Bank Announces New Partnership with SWEPCO Foundation

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) is proud to announce a new partnership with the SWEPCO Foundation that will strengthen efforts to combat hunger across Gregg County. As part of this collaboration, the Longview Resource Center will now be known as the East Texas Food Bank Longview Resource Center Powered by SWEPCO Foundation.

Over the past year, the ETFB served 1.2 million meals to neighbors in need. Despite this progress, food insecurity remains a serious challenge in Gregg County, where 18.5% of residents, approximately 23,050 people, are food insecure. The impact is even greater among children, with 27.4%, or about 8,850 children, facing food insecurity.

The Longview Resource Center was opened to expand the food bank’s reach, distribute more food, and better serve individuals and families across the region. The new partnership with the SWEPCO Foundation will help ensure the center can continue meeting growing needs while increasing access to nutritious food.

“This partnership with the SWEPCO Foundation is a powerful step forward in our mission to end hunger in East Texas,” said David Emerson, Chief Executive Officer of the East Texas Food Bank. “Their support allows us to serve more people, provide more meals, and make a lasting difference for families who are struggling. Together, we are strengthening our community and offering hope to our neighbors when they need it most.”

“On behalf of the Southwestern Electric Power Foundation, we are honored to support the East Texas Food Bank and the Greater Longview community through the naming of the Longview Resource Center Powered by SWEPCO Foundation,” said External Affairs Manager Mark Robinson.

“This SWEPCO Foundation contribution honors the legacy of James Templeton and reflects a commitment to improve food security where our customers and neighbors live and work,” Robinson added. “Mr. Templeton’s service on the Board of Directors of Central and Southwest Corporation exemplified leadership and deep industry expertise — values we are proud to carry forward as this center continues serving Longview for years to come.”

About the East Texas Food Bank

Established in 1988, the East Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief nonprofit in East Texas, covering 26 counties. ETFB provides over 34 million meals each year to 200 partner agencies and feeding programs. Our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in East Texas. For more information, visit EastTexasFoodBank.org

About the Southwestern Electric Power Co. Foundation
The Southwestern Electric Power Co. Foundation awards charitable grants within communities served by Southwestern Electric Power Co., an operating subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP). The Southwestern Electric Power Co. Foundation, along with the rest of the American Electric Power Foundation, is funded by AEP and its operating subsidiaries solely through shareholder dollars.

East Texas Food Bank receives 42,000 pound food donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

An 18-wheeler truck from Utah delivered 42,000 pounds of mixed goods to the East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) in Tyler. The donation, totaling 25 pallets, was provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to support hunger relief efforts across East Texas.

The donation from the Church is part of its ongoing global effort to help individuals struggling with urgent temporal concerns by addressing immediate hunger needs, supporting improved nutrition, and promoting long-term food security. The shipment includes a variety of mixed canned and boxed goods such as vegetables, chili, fruit, beef, peanut butter, dried milk, and numerous other items.

“We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary donation of food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said David Emerson, CEO of the ETFB. “Over the past several years, the church has generously contributed more than 350,000 pounds of food to the ETFB. Their commitment goes far beyond donations—they consistently give their time, energy, and compassion by volunteering at our center and supporting our distributions, making a meaningful difference for the families we serve.”

“When the Savior taught us to feed His sheep, He meant more than words—He meant bread on the table, milk in the cup, and love in the heart,” said Charles Rhodus, president of the Tyler Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We are deeply grateful to share these gifts, knowing that in strengthening our neighbors, we honor Him whose hands never cease to serve.”

The donation comes as local volunteers continue to assist the ETFB through ongoing outreach efforts, including the Community Produce Distribution held last week at the Church’s building located at 2401 N Broadway Ave. in Tyler. During that event, 50 volunteers gathered to bag potatoes and help distribute fresh produce and other food items provided by ETFB.

The Community Produce Distribution at this location is held every third Friday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and is available on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone in the community who is in need. This outreach is especially significant as it is Tyler’s largest distribution helping ensure continued access to fresh produce for residents.

Across 26 counties and nearly 20,000 square miles, the ETFB serves 175,400 households and provides vital support to communities throughout the region. In fiscal year 2025 alone, the ETFB helped provide 34 million meals. Yet the need remains urgent: 235,670 East Texans (including children) face food insecurity, and across the state, 1 in 5 Texans experience hunger, including 1 in 4 children.

This donation is one way the Church continues to support hunger relief efforts already underway in East Texas, building on a relationship that includes regular volunteer service, youth participation, and hands-on community outreach. From packing and distributing food locally to helping meet broader supply needs, Church members are grateful to work alongside the East Texas Food Bank in caring for neighbors across the region.

As part of the Church’s global humanitarian efforts, food and nutrition support remains a consistent focus, especially when it can be delivered through trusted partners with strong local reach. By working with the East Texas Food Bank, the Church can contribute resources that help meet immediate needs while also strengthening long-term food security for individuals and families throughout East Texas.

The Church and the East Texas Food Bank have developed a positive relationship in the community, as adults, missionaries, and youth groups from the Church regularly volunteer.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints focuses on relieving suffering, fostering self-reliance, and providing opportunities for service for people around the world, regardless of religion, nationality, or race. The Church encourages its members to be generous with their time and resources in any way they can.

Texarkana Food Distribution Supports East Texas Families

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) will host a food distribution event on Monday, December 22, in Texarkana, TX at Liberty Eylau Middle School, sponsored by Church on the Rock-Texarkana and CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, to provide additional food assistance to local families during the holiday season.

“The ETFB will offer a 25-pound box of non-perishable items along with frozen meat and produce,” said David Emerson, CEO of the ETFB. “Because so many people experience food insecurity year-round, we’re working to make sure East Texans have the meals they need this holiday season.”

Arkansas residents can come to the distribution to receive the box of food and produce but the meat can only be distributed to Texas residents as it is a product from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Each vehicle may pick up food for up to two households, and organizers anticipate serving approximately 1,200 families.

The December 22 distribution will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until supplies run out. Liberty Eylau Middle School is located at 5555 Leopard Dr. The parking lot will open at 9:30 a.m.

Brookshire Grocery Co. Donates More Than $100,000 to East Texas Food Bank to Support Families During Christmas Season

Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) donated more than $100,000 in food to the East Texas Food Bank on December 9. The donation includes nearly 4,000 hams and a truckload of fresh produce.

The hams are part of a partnership with Hormel Foods Corporation to donate 9,000 Hormel^® Cure 81^® hams to help feed those in need this holiday season. The two companies donated $100,000 worth of hams to the East Texas Food Bank and other food banks in the company market area for distribution throughout the communities where Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market, FRESH by Brookshire’s, Reasor’s and FRESH by Reasor’s stores operate.

In addition to the ham donation, and in partnership with BGC’s vendor suppliers, the company also contributed more than $65,000 worth of fresh produce—nearly 40,000 pounds—to the East Texas Food Bank. The hams and produce will be distributed through partner food pantries to support food-insecure individuals and families, including children and seniors, during the holiday season.

Representatives from Hormel Foods, BGC, and the East Texas Food Bank gathered today at the food bank’s Tyler location to commemorate the donation. During the event, leaders highlighted the vital role the contribution plays in supporting hunger-relief efforts throughout the region.

“We are very proud to annually partner with Hormel Foods and our other vendor partners to donate hams and produce this holiday season to nonprofits, including the East Texas Food Bank,” said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co. “We are dedicated to making a difference in our stores and the communities we serve. We are proud to help thousands of families this Christmas holiday with this partnership with Hormel.”

BGC is also currently hosting its 44th annual Spirit of Christmas campaign, which provides additional support for those facing food insecurity. Now through Dec. 16, customers can donate at any BGC store location. All proceeds will benefit local food banks, collectively providing nearly half a million pounds of food each year to families in need throughout the company’s market areas.

December Mobile Pantry Aims to Support East Texas Families

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) will host a special mobile pantry event on Monday, December 1, at the Angelina County Expo Center in Lufkin, sponsored by Mike Love and Associates, to provide additional food assistance to local families during the holiday season.

“The ETFB will offer a 25-pound box of non-perishable items along with frozen meat and produce,” said David Emerson, CEO of the ETFB. “Because so many people experience food insecurity year-round, we’re working to make sure East Texans have the meals they need this holiday season.”

Each vehicle may pick up food for up to two households, and organizers anticipate serving approximately 1,200 families.

The distribution will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until supplies run out. Angelina County Expo Center is located at 1200 Ellen Trout Drive in Lufkin. The parking lot will open at 9 a.m. so please don’t arrive sooner than that time.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the distribution. If you are interested, please visit EastTexasFoodBank.org and click on volunteer.