TYLER, TEXAS –  In addition to its year-round work to help fill the meal gap for the one in five East Texans who are facing hunger, the East Texas Food Bank is working with its more than 200 partners to provide emergency food assistance during COVID-19, otherwise known as coronavirus.

The Texas Department of Agriculture got waivers approved from the United States Department of Agriculture so that school districts can serve meals to students during extended breaks or closures because of COVID-19. While school districts must decide to enact the waivers, ETFB is ready to provide additional assistance to families during the pandemic.

In partnership with Tyler Independent School District, which is serving free curb-side meals to students during the Community Mitigation Period through March 20, ETFB will be distributing free emergency food assistance boxes.

The emergency food boxes will be distributed by ETFB staff, with support of Mentoring Alliance volunteers. As cars arrive on-site to receive curb-side meals from select TISD schools, each household will also receive a box of non-perishable food items and (pending availability) produce items.

During March 16-20, in coordination with the TISD curb-side meals, the ETFB food box distribution schedule is as follows:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Boulter, Caldwell and Griffin Elementary Schools.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hubbard, Moore and Three Lakes Middle Schools.

Any family seeking food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic can visit www.EastTexasFoodBank.org and click “find food” to get information on the nearest food pantries.