Whataburger Franchisee Holds Annual Food Bank Fundraiser

Nearly two dozen Whataburger restaurants across East Texas will begin their annual East Texas Food Bank Ornament Sales Dec. 4. Guests can buy train ornaments to adorn each restaurant through Dec. 17 with all proceeds going to the East Texas Food Bank.

“They are a great organization that we’ve been partners with for 25 years,” DKT Investments Director of Marketing Nicole Jones said. “Some of our restaurants get so many donations that they end up papering the walls with ornaments. We start running out of places to put them.”

DKT Investments owns and operates 23 Whataburger restaurants in a dozen communities. The food bank serves clients from Texarkana to Lufkin.

By donating as little as $1, Guests can put their name on an ornament like this to hang in the restaurant.

People wanting to donate should visit participating restaurants in Tyler, Lindale, Chapel Hill, Henderson, Kilgore, Liberty City, Gilmer, Chandler, Mineola, Bullard, Whitehouse and Pittsburg to help.

Feeding Texas Network Announces 2025 State Legislative Priorities

Bill filing begins this week for the 89^th Texas Legislature. As state lawmakers begin to introduce legislation, Feeding Texas calls on our elected officials to back policy solutions that prevent hunger and tackle the root causes of food insecurity.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its annual study measuring food security. The report shows that Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation at 16.9%. This is a 1.4% increase compared to last year’s food insecurity rate and it means that in Texas, 1 in 6 households are food insecure.

“The rising cost of food and other household expenses, such as rent and utilities, is making it increasingly difficult for Texans to pay the bills,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks. “The state’s significant backlog in processing SNAP applications is preventing many from accessing the food benefits they need and only contributes to the issue. Food banks are doing everything within their means to meet the growing need in their communities as more and more families seek emergency food. As food insecurity rises across the state, it is crucial that Texas lawmakers support hunger solutions in the upcoming legislative session and make it easier, not harder, for families to access food resources.”

This year, Feeding Texas is advancing policy solutions to both prevent hunger and tackle its causes and consequences. These legislative priorities are supported by our network of 20 food banks, which serves all 254 counties in Texas. The agenda is also supported by the Texas Food Policy Roundtable (TFPR), a coalition of over 80 organizations dedicated to ending hunger in Texas. TFPR includes leaders from the food banking, retail, nonprofit, education, and healthcare sectors.

The first section of our shared legislative agenda focuses on increasing access to food and improving health outcomes. The Feeding Texas network and TFPR are calling on lawmakers to:

1. Eliminate the backlog of SNAP applications and increase efficiencies by streamlining SNAP six-month eligibility checks with periodic reporting. Periodic reporting is a proven tool to reduce workload, save on administrative costs and enhance program integrity. Georgia recently implemented periodic reporting and saw a 25% reduction in workload for their eligibility staff. Applied to Texas’ eligibility workforce, this change could save over $33 million in state funds per year.
2. Fight child hunger during the summer by implementing Summer EBT. Nearly 1 in 4 Texas children experience hunger, which spikes in the summer because millions of children lose access to school meals. Summer EBT is a new program that would provide low-income families with children $120 in food benefits during the summer.3.
3. Improve health outcomes and reduce state healthcare costs by developing a streamlined Medicaid reimbursement model that integrates food bank services into our healthcare system and enables doctors to prescribe healthy food.4.
4. Modernize the eligibility system by adequately funding the Texas Health and Human Service Commission’s Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) Exceptional Item #2 to fix problems with TIERS. System errors and glitches within TIERS, the system that enrolls Texans in SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF, have led to application processing delays and wrongful denials.

The second section of our legislative agenda focuses on tackling the root causes of hunger.

“We know that hunger does not occur in a vacuum,” Cole said. “Hunger is closely linked to many other issues, including health, housing, financial security, and access to healthy, locally grown food. At Feeding Texas, we seek to provide food for today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime. This mission requires us to go beyond short-term solutions and to address the root causes of hunger, which can lead to long-term change.”

Feeding Texas is working with partner organizations across the state who are experts on the following issues. Texas lawmakers can help address the root causes of hunger by supporting legislation to:

1. Strengthen Our Local Food Systems: Local food systems can help reduce food insecurity and increase resilience by reducing food waste, supporting local economies, improving food quality and making fresh, nutritious food more accessible to everyone.
2. Increase Healthcare Access: Hunger and health are deeply connected. Individuals facing food insecurity are more likely to experience adverse health effects and face barriers to accessing necessary health services. 3.
3. Ensure Housing Affordability: Strengthening access to affordable, quality housing allows Texan to allocate more of their household budgets to other essential needs like food.  4.
4. Improve Financial Security: As food prices continue to rise, financial security and economic stability are essential to ensure Texas households can meet their nutrition needs, thrive in the workforce, and save for the future.

“Hunger is a nonpartisan issue — it impacts every county in our state and Texans from all walks of life,” Cole said. “While finding common ground in today’s political climate may be challenging, we can all agree that all Texans deserve access to the nutritious food they need to live full, healthy lives. We have the tools to solve hunger in Texas, and our neighbors facing food insecurity are counting on the Texas Legislature to act.”

ETFB announces the results of the “Spread the Love” Peanut Butter Drive

The city of Tyler came out on top for the first East Texas Food Bank “Spread the Love” Peanut Butter Drive between the cities of Tyler and Longview, led by the mayors of each community.

Tyler raised 20,202 jars of peanut butter versus 18,393 for Longview, totaling 38,595 jars of peanut butter. The public was able to buy physical jars and drop them off in collection barrels or buy them online.

Physical jars of peanut butter: Longview 13,365 and Tyler 2,579.
Online jars of peanut butter: Tyler 17,623 and Longview 5,028 jars: contributions totaling $75,428.60.

“Everyone is a winner because the food and funds collected will help East Texans in need,” said Kim Morris, Chief Impact Officer for the ETFB. “The peanut butter and funds we collected will help us fill the shelves of our pantry partners in Longview and Tyler. We are so thankful to everyone who participated in this event. Each jar represents a family who will be able to have nutritious food that is high in protein.”

Tyler Mayor Don Warren and Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara held the friendly peanut butter competition in September as part of Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month is held every September as part of Feeding America’s initiative to bring awareness about food insecurity in our communities. In East Texas, 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 4 children are hungry.

“We would like to say a special thank you to Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods and Fresh stores in Tyler and Longview for offering drop-off locations for the peanut butter,” added Morris. “Also we want to thank all of the businesses, individuals, churches, and schools in both cities for holding their own drives to benefit East Texans. This campaign brought our communities together for the unified cause of Fighting Hunger and Feeding Hope.”

 

East Texas Food Bank Recognizes Hunger Hero Award Recipients for 2024

 

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) honored recipients with the fifth annual Hunger Hero Awards as part of Hunger Action Month.

Corporate Partner

UBank received the Corporate Partner Hunger Hero Award. For the past five years, UBank has held the Good for Country concert in Lufkin with top country music artists raising over $116,000.

“We are so grateful to UBank for creating such a unique fundraiser that brings people together to enjoy music and help East Texans struggling with food insecurity,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “We are serving over three million meals in Angelina County.”

“We’d like to thank the East Texas Food Bank for recognizing UBank as their “Hunger Hero” in Lufkin for our Good for Country Concert Series,” said Jack Ellis, UBank Market President of Lufkin & Huntington. “Donating $116,000 in just four short years is something we could have only dreamed about back in 2020 when Good for Country started. We are grateful to have the support of so many local businesses. Creating an event that makes a tangible impact in Lufkin is something we’re immensely proud to be a part of.”

Corporate Partner

Chick-fil-A (CFA) stores in Tyler and Lindale received the Corporate Partner Hunger Hero Award for their continuing mission of partnering with the East Texas Food Bank. Owner/operators of the four stores include: Ikey Eason, Joseph Williams, Joshua Johnson and Jeff Johnston.

“Chick-fil-A nominated ETFB for the True Inspiration Award and this year we received a grant of $125,000,” said David Emerson, CEO of ETFB. “We are humbled to be recognized in this way and thankful for this incredible relationship with CFA.”

The True Inspiration Awards were established to carry on Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy’s legacy of generosity and community service.

“To be selected for a grant, organizations must work to address key issues that align with Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility priorities such as Caring for Others through Food, and we are proud to be a part of fighting hunger in East Texas,” said Jeff Johnston, Chick-fil-A owner/operator and ETFB board member.

Foundation Partner

Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) received the Foundation Partner Hunger Hero Award. EHF has provided the ETFB with over $450,000 in funding to increase access to SNAP assistance at our resource centers in Tyler and Longview.

“Episcopal Health Foundation cares about making sure that Texans have access to improve their health and we are so thrilled to have a partnership with them, “ added Emerson.

“We’re proud to support the East Texas Food Bank not only to enroll individuals for essential health benefits like SNAP and health insurance, but also in its effort to shape solutions that truly prioritize the needs and experiences of those they serve,” said Cindy Lucia, senior program officer, Episcopal Health Foundation.

Community Partner

The Ground Floor Collective received the Community Partner Hunger Hero Award. The group unites and empowers communities by providing resources to East Texans.

“Our partnership with the Ground Floor Collective has been incredible since we opened our Texarkana Resource Center in May,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “From finding volunteer support to providing wrap-around services to our neighbors, they have been part of our success in Texarkana.”

“This recognition reflects not only our commitment to addressing food insecurity but also the incredible collaboration within our community,” said Kristina Rivas-Jones, Co-founder and Executive Director of Ground Floor Collective. “Together, we are restoring lives by providing essential resources and support to our neighbors in need. It is a privilege to work alongside dedicated partners and advocates, who share the vision of a healthier, more empowered Texarkana. Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting our efforts to create lasting change.”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Henry McCant with the Christian Pantry in Cass County received the Hunger Hero Lifetime Achievement Award.

McCant started Christian Pantry in the early 2000s after seeing a need to feed people in Cass County. While some in his community suggested a cookout, he wanted to do more than just offer a one-time feeding of people. He became a partner of the ETFB in 2014.

“McCant makes the drive weekly to Tyler to our warehouse at ETFB to pick-up pantry staples and produce,” said Emerson. “He cares deeply about the people he serves and we believe he is so deserving of this honor and recognition.”

McCant is also a Vietnam War veteran and proudly served his country from 1958 to 1979, achieving the rank of First Sergeant.

ETFB presented the awards during Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, held each year in September, to inspire the community to take action and bring attention to hunger in East Texas and the nation.

According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, 1 in 6 East Texans including 1 in 4 children are hungry. This amounts to 217,260 adults including 78,620 children.