Author: Michael Hetrick

New SNAP rule won’t affect East Texans

The Trump administration has officially finalized a new rule for those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The rule applies to able-bodied adults with no dependents.

“Currently under the SNAP program there are certain job requirements that people have to abide by in order to receive SNAP,” said Tim Butler, the program services director for the East Texas Food Bank. “Specifically, people aged 18-49 without dependents and not care takers; they have to show 20 hours of work within a week in order to receive SNAP.”
(Read more from KLTV)

East Texas Food Bank offers tips for safe food handling when preparing holiday meals

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but if you’re not careful in the kitchen, loved ones could end up sick.

As part of its mission to fight hunger and feed hope, the East Texas Food Bank offers free nutrition education, including a six-week course focusing on food preparation, budgeting and shopping for healthy meals.

ETFB Nutrition Education Manager Kinsey Jeffers shared some tips for safe food preparation for big holiday meals, so that no one in the family gets food poisoning for Christmas.
(Read and watch this story from Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Giving Tuesday: Ozarka donates $5K, truckload of water to East Texas Food Bank

Giving Tuesday is here, and it marks a 24-hour global day of giving to charities and nonprofit organizations.

Ozarka Natural Spring Water made a $5,000 donation to the East Texas Food Bank. Ozarka is also donating a truckload of bottled water, and employees from the Ozarka production facility in Hawkins will volunteer at the food bank.
(Read and watch more from KLTV 7)

Ozarka donation to East Texas Food Bank, volunteering to kick off Giving Tuesday

Ozarka Brand Natural Spring Water is helping the East Texas Food Bank kick off Giving Tuesday by donating $5,000 and a truckload of bottled water.

Giving Tuesday is a 24-hour global day of giving to charities and nonprofits.

The donation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the East Texas Food Bank, 3201 Robertson Road. After the presentation, Ozarka employees will volunteer at the food bank.
(Read more from Tyler Morning Telegraph)

No holiday for hunger

The holiday season, or “season of giving,” moves many people to look beyond themselves and consider the needs of the nearly quarter of a million people in this region who are hungry.

Charitable organizations, here and around the country, are typically awash with donations of food, clothes, and money when the weather cools, leaves turn, and everyone feels the holiday spirit.

That’s great, Anderson County advocates said, but fighting hunger is a year-round battle that calls for our assistance every month of the year. Those who package, prepare, and deliver aid to the needy would like people to hold onto the spirit of giving in spring, when donations all but cease.
(Read more from Palestine Herald-Press)