Drive thru distributions to help those in need of food assistance during COVID-19 pandemic
In response to COVID-19, the East Texas Food Bank is holding weekly drive-thru emergency food box distributions. We will be distributing emergency food boxes and two gallons of milk to each household. The distributions will be at the East Texas State Fairgrounds from 10 am-12pm (while supplies last).
The boxes are an added layer on top of the 21.3 million meals ETFB distributes every year. The boxes contain shelf-stable groceries such as dried beans, rice, pasta and canned meat, fruits and vegetables. Each box will provide items for 16 meals.
To receive a free box, community members just need to provide their name and address. There are no eligibility requirements or identification needed.
Last month, we completely shifted our work in response to COVID-19. We immediately started packing emergency food boxes for drive-thru distributions at schools, partner agencies and other community locations. We also launched a new Senior Box Home Delivery program for our homebound seniors.
We are so thankful for our staff, volunteers, partners and donors that quickly adapted and helped us provide 1.8 million meals in March. More than meals, we are providing one less worry for our neighbors whose worlds have been drastically impacted by COVID-19. Click here for our full COVID-19 emergency response.
We’ve seen a huge increase in the demand for food assistance and we’re serving many new faces. It’s families that no longer have access to free and reduced lunch at school. It’s our local college students who lost their wages from waiting tables and don’t have access to dining services on campus anymore.
In March, the East Texas Food Bank provided 1.8 million meals to children, families and seniors in need across 26 counties.
If you are able, here are the most essential ways you can support our work and help provide one less worry for our neighbors:
Donate. Thanks to our wholesale buying power, every dollar you donate provides even more meals for our hungry neighbors. Donate here.
Crowdfund. Any person, business, organization or group can host a virtual food drive to benefit the East Texas Food Bank! We can customize a crowdfunding page with your information and goal. Click here to learn more.
Volunteer. Our Volunteer Center is currently by appointment only and we’ve implemented additional sanitation and social distancing measures. The Texas Governor’s office has deemed food banks as a critical infrastructure industry and we’re allowed to stay open. Learn more here.
Amplify. We need your voice to help share our message. You can stay updated on our work and share our message to your network across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Your support means that access to a nutritious meal is one less worry for our neighbors in need.
TLL Temple Foundation, East Texas Food bank distribute food in Lufkin
The TLL Temple Foundation and the East Texas Food Bank partnered up again for the second week to help people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week the two non-profits distributed 670 boxes which fed around 1,100 meals. On Tuesday the group handed out between 1,800 and 2,000 boxes. Pilgrim’s Pride also donated 20,000 pounds of frozen chicken to distribute as well.
(Read and watch this story from KTRE)
East Texas Food Bank sets emergency food box distribution, launches senior box delivery
The East Texas Food Bank will be hosting an emergency food box distribution, and launching a delivery program to get food boxes to seniors.
The ETFB will host an emergency food box distribution from 10 a.m. to noon (or while supplies last) on Friday, April 3 at the East Texas State Fairgrounds, 2112 W. Front St.
The ETFB also is launching a food box delivery program for low income seniors over 60 years old that are homebound or quarantined and at risk of hunger.
(Read more from Tyler Paper)
Skyrocketing unemployment changing requirements for SNAP
In about a week, more than 150,000 Texans filed for unemployment benefits, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.For perspective, that is an 860% increase over the prior week.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services lowered some of the requirements needed to qualify for welfare programs like SNAP.
(Read and watch this story from KYTX CBS19)
