Author: Michael Hetrick

Fresh produce helps Barronda’s family

Barronda_blog

“Everything I get is important. I have cancer.”

That’s what Barronda shared with us during a recent produce distribution.

“My treatments take up a lot of my income,” she said. “So this helps balance things out for me and my family.”

Barronda said that because of her cancer and COVID, she wasn’t able to get out much. She appreciated the ability to drive-thru for the produce.

“It goes smooth and quick,” she said. “It’s so easy because I don’t have to get out of my car.”

Barronda told us she uses everything she gets as well. Her favorites are the cabbage and carrots.

“Nothing goes to waste,” she said adding that her daughter and grandson live with her as well.

Without volunteers, Barronda knows she would not be able to receive this fresh produce. She wanted to be sure they understood how grateful she was for their time.

“Thank you to the volunteers and to the food bank,” she said. “This is a big blessing. I teach my grandchildren about the value of giving back to others.”

To support East Texas families like Barronda, you can make a donation here or view all our volunteer opportunities and sign up here.

 

*Picture changed to protect privacy

9 Easy Ways to Eat More Vegetables Everyday

It can be easier than you may think to eat more vegetables throughout your day. Eating vegetables is important because they provide vitamins and minerals and most are low in calories. To fit more vegetables in your meals, we’re encouraging them as snacks as well, not just meals. Here are 9 easy ways you can eat more vegetables every day:

  1. Discover Fast Ways to Cook- Cook fresh or frozen vegetables in the microwave for a quick-and-easy dish to add to any meal. Steam green beans, carrots, or broccoli in a bowl with a small amount of water in the microwave for a quick side dish.
  1. Be Ahead of the Game- Cut up a batch of bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli. Pre-package them to use when time is limited. You can enjoy them on a salad, with a hummus dip, or in a veggie wrap.
  1. Choose Vegetables Rich in Color- Brighten your plate with vegetables that are red, orange, or dark green. They are full of vitamins and minerals. Try acorn squash, cherry tomatoes, sweet potatoes, or collard greens. They not only taste great but also are good for you, too.
  1. Check the Freezer Aisle- Frozen vegetables are quick and easy to use and are just as nutritious as fresh veggies. Try adding frozen vegetables, such as corn, peas, green beans, or spinach to your favorite dish. Look for frozen vegetables without added sauces, gravies, butter, or cream.
  1. Stock Up on Veggies- Canned vegetables are a great addition to any meal, so keep on hand canned tomatoes, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, mushrooms, and beets. Select those labeled as “reduced sodium,” “low sodium,” or “no salt added.”
  1. Make Your Garden Salad Glow with Color- Brighten your salad by using colorful vegetables such as black beans, sliced red bell peppers, shredded radishes, chopped red cabbage or carrots. Your salad will not only look good but taste good, too.
  1. Sip on Some Vegetable Soup- Heat it and eat it. Try tomato, butternut squash, or garden vegetable soup. Look for reduced- or low-sodium soups. Make your own soups with a low-sodium broth and your favorite vegetables.
  1. While You’re Out- If dinner is away from home, no need to worry. When ordering, ask for an extra side of vegetables or side salad instead of the typical fried side dish. Ask for toppings and dressings on the side.
  1. Savor the Flavor of Seasonal Vegetables- Buy vegetables that are in season for maximum flavor at a lower cost. Check your local supermarket specials for the best-in-season buys. Or visit your local farmer’s market.

For more healthy tips, follow us on Facebook and find more nutrition education tips and recipes here.  

The tips featured in this blog post were developed by the USDA. For more information, visit myplate.org.

ETFB, Mission Carthage feeding our communities – together

Mission Carthage is a hub of hope for rural Panola County. Since last March, they have been shielding thousands of East Texans from the impacts of the pandemic and poverty. Executive Director Jennifer Randall talks about her organization’s vital partnership with East Texas Food Bank:

“It’s not enough to say ‘thank you,’ but these are the words we’ve got! The East Texas Food Bank made it possible for us to continue to feed people in need when we thought we might have to close our doors. That idea hurt so much. It’s a passion of ours to give people hope and help their tears stop flowing for a day. A lot of people would go hungry if we weren’t here.”

“With the East Texas Food Bank’s support, we have stayed open! It miraculously feels like the loaves and fishes sometimes—even when we’re serving about 100 more families every month.”

“They provide lots of shelf-stable food like canned vegetables, peanut butter, baking mixes, rice, pasta and spaghetti sauce. We give every family some of this, like the grandma in her 70s who’s raising her 16-year-old grandson. He wanted to get a job to help out at home, but then COVID-19 hit. This food helps them so much right now.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to the East Texas Food Bank for helping us love our neighbors!”

We’re also thankful—for you! Like Jennifer says, “This is a group effort to feed our communities.” We simply couldn’t do it without you.

You can make a difference in the fight against hunger in East Texas right now! Make an online gift, sign up to volunteer or hold a virtual food drive for your business or organization.

“Nothing is better than helping others”

 

Aplha_Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart of our work here at the East Texas Food Bank, giving their time each day to help us provide meals to thousands of East Texas families. As we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we wanted to share the story of Alpha Berry. Alpha is just one of the thousands of volunteers that help in our mission of fighting hunger and feeding hope.

“Hello, my name is Alpha Berry. I’ve been volunteering at the East Texas Food Bank for about a year. I’m originally from Guinea, West Africa and graduated from UT Tyler with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science in May 2020.

Since I didn’t have a job after graduation, and plan to pursue my Masters this summer, I decided to start volunteering here. I actually came to volunteer here a couple of years ago for a class, so I already knew a little bit about the work the food bank does.

I usually volunteer Monday through Thursday in the mornings. They are really wonderful people over here and take care of you. Everyone is so welcoming.

There are so many that are hungry out there, so being here making boxes of food to send out makes me feel good.

I would tell people to make time to volunteer at the East Texas Food Bank. You gain the experience of working, meeting new people and even getting to share experiences with them.  Nothing is better than helping others and there is always a lot to do. They need as many hands as possible to help out.”

We are always looking for great volunteers like Alpha. Click here to find out more and schedule your time to help!

Fresh produce helps Keith’s family in a time of need

For many of our East Texas neighbors who struggle with hunger, the COVID-19 pandemic placed an additional amount of stress on their families and limited budgets. With 1 in 5 East Texans, including 1 in 3 children, facing hunger today, the need for food assistance remains high.

We met Keith recently at one of our drive-thru produce distributions. He shared with us that it was his first time to receive help.

“I’ve been cut back at my restaurant job to bare minimum hours,” Keith said. “I went from 40+ hours a week to 20 to 25 hours. I’m blessed to be working at all, but that really strains my pocketbook.”

Keith lives with his wife and mother at home. Fortunately, none of them had been directly affected by the COVID-19 virus.

“My sister got COVID and several of my church members had it,” he said adding that his sister is much better now. “It was all around me, but we wanted to be especially careful because my mother is 77 years old.”

Keith told us he was very appreciative of receiving the fresh, healthy produce from the distribution, and can’t wait to use it.

“It’s a good thing for people like me who need it,” he said. “I appreciate it. My family appreciates it. Thank you to everyone that makes it possible.”

If you would like to help families like Keith’s that the East Texas Food Bank works to feed each day, you can make a donation online, volunteer with us or host a virtual food drive.