East Texas Food Bank Plans Free Summer Food Program

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) kicks off the free Summer Food Program for children on Tuesday, June 2, at 43 East Texas locations with a special event at the Glass Recreation Center in Tyler from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring food, activities and more. The PepsiCo Foundation’s Food for Good sponsors the event.

“It’s so important to make sure children do not go hungry in the summer just because school is out,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Here in East Texas, 1 in 4 children are food insecure so it’s up to our community to make sure we fill that meal gap when the school year ends and kids lose access to free and reduced-price meals they depend on.”

Food for Good is helping transform food access in rural and underserved communities by using PepsiCo’s logistical expertise to deliver nutritious meals year-round. This summer, its partnership with the ETFB will help ensure children do not go hungry when school is out—tackling geographic, financial, and systemic barriers to food access.

“Summer hunger is one of the most urgent yet solvable challenges we face,” said Andrea Moribe, Director of Food for Good, PepsiCo Foundation. “Our collaboration with the ETFB is a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can bridge access gaps and deliver real solutions to families when they need them most.”

This summer, ETFB expects to serve 100,000 meals to over 4,500 children. Meals are provided at various community sites Monday-Friday. There is no need to register. The program is for children 18 and younger.

Besides the meal, some of the locations at parks, churches and libraries offer other free activities for children. Check with the Summer Food Program you plan to visit for more information.

For the full list of locations and serving times visit EastTexasFoodBank.org/SummerFood or by calling 903-597-3663.

Deep East Texas Resource Center celebrates anniversary

The East Texas Food Bank Deep East Texas Resource Center (DETRC) in Lufkin will celebrate their five-year anniversary on Tuesday, May 19 with an open house for chamber members.

DETRC services include a food pantry, benefits assistance, and other support services such as computer stations to apply for jobs.

“This past year we served 1.4 million meals from our Lufkin location,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Here, neighbors receive not only nutritious food but the dignity they deserve. Our stores are designed to feel like a real grocery store. We offer fresh produce, meats, pasta, soups, beans, rice, and other pantry staples.”

The DETRC at 105 Lofton Street in Lufkin serves neighbors four days a week. Neighbors may shop twice a month for groceries.

The Lifesaving Gift of Food for East Texans
For many in East Texas, the unexpected gift of food has been a lifeline.

Sharon, a Lufkin resident, receives food assistance from the DETRC but is also a volunteer. She takes care of her sister who’s disabled. “We are all like family here. Everyone gets to know each other, and we all pray for each other. We are all struggling but so thankful for the DETRC!”

With four resource centers located in Longview, Lufkin, Tyler, and Texarkana, ETFB reaches families across the region, offering much-needed support to those facing food insecurity.
Wanda, 78, a Homer resident, was married for 58 years and is now a widow. She says it is hard to make ends meet with skyrocketing bills such as electricity. Wanda says DETRC has been a great resource for her food needs. “I love the fresh fruits and vegetables as they help me stay healthy.”

Paul, 80, toured the U.S. singing gospel, soul and rhythm and blues in clubs. He moved back to Lufkin to take care of his 98-year-old mother and extended family. “We love the fresh vegetables. It’s hard right now to pay all your bills so we are grateful to have this food pantry to help us get by.”

The TLL Temple Foundation provided the initial funding to launch the DETRC and continues to provide support alongside several local businesses, organizations, and individual donors.

Small Acts, Big Impact: Walmart and Sam’s Club Kick Off 13th Annual ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’

For the 13th consecutive year, all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations are launching the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, including right here in East Texas.

The goal of the annual cause marketing campaign is to provide people facing hunger with access to the food and resources they say they need to thrive.

The campaign will run in stores and online from April 6-May 3, with three ways to participate:

– Donating or rounding up at checkout: Donate at the register in stores or clubs or round up your total on the Walmart app and website.

– By purchasing participating products**: Look for specially marked items in-store or online. Each purchase helps provide meals to our local food bank from participating brands. 1 item = 1 meal* at Walmart; 1 item = 5 meals* at Sam’s Club.

– Giving directly: Visit Feeding America’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign donation site at either www.FeedingAmerica.org/Walmart or www.FeedingAmerica.org/SamsClub

Since its inception in 2014, the campaign has generated more than $227 million and helped secure more than 2 billion meals* for the Feeding America® network of local food banks.

“Each year, the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign reminds us that strong communities are built when neighbors support one another,” said David Emerson, East Texas Food Bank CEO. “The generosity of shoppers and the year-round support from Walmart and Sam’s Club helps power our work every single day.”

Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive, and in every community in America, people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families.

Yet nearly 48 million individuals, including more than 14 million children experience food insecurity in the U.S.– the highest it’s been since 2014. This issue spans across all ages and demographics, affecting people in every county, parish and congressional district. It impacts children, seniors, young adults and working families of every background, location and/or disability.

Those are the highest numbers in a decade, underscoring the need for more charitable food assistance in East Texas and beyond.

“The Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is built on the belief that small actions lead to significant impact. By partnering with Feeding America and their network of local food banks, Walmart and Sam’s Club are helping to bridge the gap for the millions of people facing food insecurity. Every donation and participating purchase helps secure the food and resources families need to reach their full potential. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our customers and members, and for the local food banks and relief agencies working on the front lines to serve our neighbors every single day,” said Julie Gehrki, Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, Walmart Inc.

The 25 participating suppliers for Walmart include: Ben’s Original™, Bush Brothers & Company, Campbells, Chef Boyardee, Conagra Foods, Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, Frito-Lay North America, Inc., Garden Veggie Straws®, General Mills, Hershey Salty Snacks Company, Hidden Valley, Kellanova, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Kodiak, Kraft Heinz, Materne, Milo’s, Mondelez International, OLIPOP, RED BARON, The Coca-Cola Company, WK Kellogg Co, Unilever, Utz Quality Foods, and Welch’s® Fruit ‘n Yogurt™ Snacks.

The eight participating suppliers for Sam’s Club include: General Mills, Hershey Salty Snacks Company, Kellanova, Kodiak, Kraft Heinz, Materne, Unilever, WK Kellogg Co.

For more information, visit: feedingamerica.org/campaigns/fight-hunger-spark-change

*Currently, $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local partner food banks.

** For every purchase of a participating product, the supplier will donate the monetary equivalent of at least one meal ($0.10) on behalf of a Feeding America partner food bank at Walmart and five meals ($0.50) at Sam’s Club, up to applicable limits. See specially marked packages for full details.