Lee, JT go head-to-head for annual Pantry Raid competition

High School Students Compete to Feed Hungry

The 28^th annual Pantry Raid competition between Robert E. Lee and John Tyler High School students has kicked off.  The students at both Tyler ISD high schools have a friendly competition each year to help feed hungry East Texans.  Students are asking the community for their help by donating non-perishable food items or funds at the school of their choice. The food and funds the students collect will benefit hungry East Texans who turn to the East Texas Food Bank’s partnering food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens for help.  The school that collects the most amount of food will earn bragging rights and proudly display the traveling trophy at their school for the year.

“The Pantry Raid is important because it helps feed the less fortunate, and is a good way to get our school involved in the community around us,” said Robert E. Lee Student Council President Maddie Bice.

“Hunger does not discriminate,” said John Tyler Student Council representative Chloe Durham.  “This cause matters to everyone…everywhere.”

Over the last 27 years, students have collected nearly 1,300,000 pounds of food combined, providing over 1,076,00 additional meals to children, families and seniors that the East Texas Food Bank serves.

“The Pantry Raid has become one of the most significant hunger relief efforts in our community,” said Dennis Cullinane, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank.  “We are truly grateful to the students for their incredible energy in producing these impressive food and cash contributions towards the fight against hunger in East Texas.”

Donations of non-perishable canned food items will be accepted at both high schools through Friday, September 7^th.  You can also support either school by making a monetary donation online at EastTexasFoodBank.org/pantryraid.  The results will be announced during halftime at the Robert E. Lee and John Tyler football game on Saturday, September 8^th.

Please contact the Tyler ISD Office of Communications at 903.262.1064 to make arrangements regarding Pantry Raid.  Media photo and video opportunities will be available on Friday, September   7^th prior to 12pm.

Food insecurity in Smith County the focus of new hunger council

Tyler nurse Celeste Fisher grew up eating one meal a day because her family could not afford to buy food.
Her dad usually got the most to eat because he worked a manual labor job and needed the energy.
“It wasn’t until the fifth-grade year that I realized breakfast and lunch were normal parts of the day,” she said. “I got those at school, but in the summer we had supper only.”
(Read more from Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Whataburger partners with East Texas Food Bank for Christmas in July Food Drive

On July 17th, you can receive a free Whataburger if you donate two non-perishable items at any Whataburger location in Bullard, Chandler, Henderson, Kilgore, Lindale, Mineola and Tyler.
This is the first year Whataburger is hosting their Christmas in July Food Drive. They usually host a Fall food drive but saw the need for helping the East Texas Food Bank.
(Read and watch this story from KYTX CBS19)

Summer Backpack Program feeds East Texas children over the weekend

Allison Medrano, 6, sorted through the contents of a zip-close bag with one hand and held her kitten, Jingle Bell, in the other.
The bag contained canned soup, canned vegetables, drinks and snack foods. Allison was most excited about the box of cereal, but said she was saving part of her milk for Jingle Bell.
“We basically spend our summer here now,” said Allison’s grandmother, Felicita Arroyo.
(Read more from Tyler Morning Telegraph)