TEXARKANA, Texas – On a Monday filled with generosity, over 100 volunteers came together to help distribute food through a local food bank. The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) provided enough groceries to feed about 1,200 families.
The event took place at Liberty-Eylau Middle School, sponsored by Church on the Rock and CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System. According to Tim Butler, Chief Development Officer of the East Texas Food Bank, this initiative is part of their ongoing mission. “We’ve been serving the Bowie County/Texarkana community since 1989,” he said. “It’s something we do regularly in partnership with others.”
In recent years, food insecurity has become a growing concern in the area. A staggering 18% of Bowie County residents face hunger, which translates to around 17,000 individuals in need. In 2025, the ETFB distributed 2 million pounds of food within Bowie County alone.
Butler expressed his excitement about the event, especially with the holidays approaching. “Raising awareness is key,” he noted. The food distributed included 25-pound boxes of nonperishable items, along with frozen meat and fresh produce.
Local organizations and community members played a vital role in this effort. Erica Smith, president of the Junior League of Texarkana, shared her thoughts: “It feels amazing to give back to families in need, one bag and one box at a time.”
This spirit of community support isn’t just a one-time event; it’s a continuous effort to combat food insecurity. Recent surveys indicate that food banks across the U.S. have seen a surge in demand. For instance, Feeding America reported a 40% increase in food assistance requests since the pandemic began.
As experts point out, addressing food insecurity not only helps individuals directly but strengthens the community as a whole. Local initiatives like this highlight the importance of collaboration, reminding us that together, we can make a difference in our neighborhoods.
By engaging in events like these, communities create a network of support that can encourage long-term solutions to hunger. For more information about how you can help, check out resources from the East Texas Food Bank.
