East Texas Food Bank receives 42,000 pounds of food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Forty-two thousand pounds of mixed goods were delivered to the East Texas Food Bank on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The food, amounting to 25 pallets, was donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) has a 26-county service area and operates multiple resource centers and 29 mobile pantries throughout the region. According to ETFB, 1 in 6 East Texans faces hunger, including 1 in 4 children. ETFB provides more than 31 million meals annually to 200 partner agencies and feeding programs.
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 donation of mixed canned and boxed goods will include vegetables, chili, fruit, beef, peanut butter, dried milk, and numerous other items.
Each year, the Church participates in hundreds of food and nutrition projects worldwide as part of its “Caring for Those in Need” initiatives. Most of these humanitarian projects are done with trusted partners, such as ETFB, which allows the Church to use its resources where they can do the greatest good.
ETFB was selected based on its connection with the community, ongoing relief efforts, focused leadership, organized processes, and adequate unloading equipment. In addition, it was important for the Church to select a food bank serving smaller, rural food banks. The ETFB aids several smaller pantries and feeding programs throughout the region.
“We are thrilled to receive this incredible donation of food from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said David Emerson, CEO of the ETFB. “This high-quality food will go a long way in serving our neighbors in East Texas especially during the winter months when many of the people we serve are struggling with bills.”
The Church and the ETFB have developed a positive relationship in the community, as adults, missionaries, and youth groups from the Church regularly volunteer.
“We wholeheartedly support the East Texas Food Bank’s mission to fight hunger and food insecurity among our neighbors,” said John Ketcher, a Church leader in the Tyler Texas Stake. “We collaborate in spreading hope through acts of kindness because we love Jesus Christ. We know this is what He would do if He were here.”
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.