East Texas Food Bank receives 38,000 pounds of mixed goods for summer food programs

The East Texas Food Bank on Thursday received 38,000 pounds of mixed goods to assist with its summer food programs.

The 25 pallets of food were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help aid families who suffer from food insecurity.

The East Texas Food Bank has a 26-county service area and aids several smaller banks throughout the region. The donation will be a great asset to communities throughout East Texas trying to feed children while school is out, according to the East Texas Food Bank.

In addition to the donation, the church also regularly supports the ongoing mobile distributions through JustServe.org.

The church posts volunteer opportunities for the community in partnership with the bank to gather volunteers to pass food out to residents across East Texas. Members and missionaries of the church are part of the core group of regular volunteers for the mobile distribution effort.

The donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is part of its ongoing global effort to care for the hungry. The church is committed to serving smaller, rural communities that may have difficulty getting food due to employment issues, inflation, and high cost of childcare.

President Charles Rhodus, who leads the Tyler Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the church remains committed to helping the East Texas community.

"We are committed to easing the burden of food insecurity across East Texas," he said. "In following Christ's example of Jesus Christ in caring for those in need we are grateful for the opportunity to help our neighbors."

The donation of mixed canned and boxed goods included vegetables, chili, fruit, beef, peanut butter, dried milk, as well as numerous other items.

East Texas Food Bank CEO Dennis Cullinane said the donation will go a long way in helping those in need.

"We are so thankful for this generous donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," he said. "We continue to see an increased need for food due to inflation and the end of extra pandemic SNAP benefits in Texas. This food will go a long way in helping us feed our neighbors."

In 2020, the church approved more than 100 relief projects in more than 50 countries to help with pandemic relief. Most of these humanitarian projects are done with trusted partners, such as The East Texas Food Bank, which allows the Church to use its resources in places where they can do the most good. The Church also made a sizeable food donation after the severe winter storms.

The East Texas Food Bank was selected based on its connection with the community, ongoing relief efforts, fantastic leadership, organized processes, and adequate unloading equipment. It was important for the Church to select a food bank that also serves smaller food banks without high charges or delivery fees.

For more information, visit www.easttexasfoodbank.org.

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) announced Tuesday that CEO Dennis Cullinane is retiring as of June 30, the end of the nonprofit's fiscal year.

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) is making some big changes and receiving some big donations as it moves into the summer months.

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