Category: News Room

East Texas Food Bank leadership says SNAP changes won’t impact ETX, calls for empathy

As the holiday season approaches, leaders at the East Texas Food Bank are asking others for a little empathy when it comes to new changes to the SNAP program.

Program Services Director Tim Butler said that while changes to SNAP, which eliminate a state’s ability to issue high unemployment waivers, will not directly impact East Texans, it is important to keep in mind that the people who will be impacted are already facing hardships.

“I think we can all agree that SNAP isn’t meant to be long term, I think the people on it don’t want to be on it the rest of their lives,” he said. “It’s a hand up.”
(Read more from Tyler Morning Telegraph)

ETX Food Bank launches food distribution to fight hunger during the holidays

Here in East Texas, 1 in every 4 kids and 1 in 5 adults don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

That’s why the East Texas Food Bank is providing a way for families to get some help before the holidays.

East Texans struggling with hunger do not go away during the holidays.
(Read and watch this story from KLTV)

East Texas Food Bank to distribute extra food for the holidays

The East Texas Food Bank will be holding a special holiday produce and food distribution on December 20 at the East Texas State Fairgrounds in Tyler.  Distribution will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is limited to one distribution per household. The event expects to serve 500 households.

ETFB holds a free produce distribution event at the fairgrounds on the first and third Friday of every month. In addition to the regular produce items, frozen chicken, canned goods and peanut butter will also be distributed.
(Read more about this event)

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)