An emotional roller coaster happened for millions of food stamp recipients Monday morning. They were first told at the end of last week to expect no February benefits due to the government shutdown. Before noon Monday, an advisory said the benefits will be available by the end of the week. News Room

If the government shutdown continues, millions of low-income families who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could have a harder time buying food; that includes, people in East Texas. “The SNAP program is funded and running it’s funded through January, there’s about $3 billion worth of reserves News Room

“I’ve spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the nation doing good,” said President George H.W. Bush in his 1989 Inaugural Speech. One point of light in East Texas, Davonte Kemp, a volunteer at The East Texas Food Bank. News Room

Stephen F. Austin State University students in the School of Human Sciences wrapped up their fourth annual Cooking Matters program with a graduation ceremony and game night. During this six-week collaborative course with the East Texas Food Bank, SFA students worked with community members to educate them on healthy eating News Room

The future of local farmers markets and produce sections could include a lot more bok choy, red mustard greens and other Asian vegetables. Last month it was announced that the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service have teamed up for a yearlong trial to examine the News Room

It’s time for the ninth annual “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” benefiting the East Texas Food Bank.  The event will take place at Bergfeld Park Amphitheatre in Tyler, on Friday, November 9th at 5:30 pm.  The public is asked to bring plastic jars of peanut butter to donate to the East News Room