Author: Michael Hetrick

Granola Bars

 

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Granola Bars

Image Source: All Recipes

Keyword: Breakfast, Snack
Ingredients
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew)
  • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 cup mix-ins (nuts, seeds, shredded coconut, dried fruit, chocolate chips), finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
Instructions

  1. In a small plan, gently heat the nut butter and honey or maple syrup until smooth and easy to stir.

  2. In a large bowl, combine oats and mix-ins. Stir well.

  3. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper. Press the mixture down firmly (this helps them hold together).

  4. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours until firm.

  5. Cut into bars or squares and enjoy.

  6. Store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or 2-3 months in the freezer.

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

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Honey Lime Fruit Salad

Image Source: https://bellyfull.net/honey-lime-fruit-salad/

Keyword: Snack
Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp Honey
  • 1 Lime Juiced
  • 2 Bananas Sliced
  • 2 Kiwis Peeled and Diced
  • 2 cups Strawberries Quartered
  • 2 cups Grapes Halved
Instructions

  1. Wash all fruit thoroughly under running water.

  2. Prepare the fruit: slice the bananas, peel and dice the kiwis, and quarter the strawberries. Leave grapes whole or halve if preferred.

  3. In a large bowl, combine the strawberries, grapes, kiwis, and sliced bananas.

  4. Drizzle the honey and fresh lime juice evenly over the fruit.

  5. Gently toss until all the fruit is well coated.

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.

East Texas Food Bank Announces New Partnership with SWEPCO Foundation

LRC Powered By SWEPCO Foundation Photo

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.

Tabbouleh

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Tabbouleh (Greek Quinoa Salad)

Recipe adapted from Cooking Matters

Image Source: www.cookingmatters.org

Keyword: Side
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup quinoa (or other whole grain like bulgur or brown rice)
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1 small cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional Ingredients
  • 4 ounces feta cheese
  • ¼ cup mint leaves
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Instructions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

  2. Add cooled quinoa, parsley, green onions, tomato, cucumber and mint (if using) to bowl.

  3. In a small, separate bowl combine oil, lemon juice salt and pepper.

  4. Drizzle oil mixture over quinoa mixture. If using the chickpeas or feta, add it now. Mix well to combine.