With nearly a month to go still, we have already been blessed this year to distribute in excess of 4 million meals in a single year for the first time when the region was not affected by a hurricane or its aftermath. In those disaster years, federal aid and other forms of outside aid help the community respond, but when a disaster does not strike, the community must be largely self-sufficient.
It’s a great testament to our community spirit that we have pooled our own resources to reach 4 million meals distributed. Since hunger affects nearly 1 in 4 Southeast Texans, we still have a long way to go and a real need to grow, but for now, we pause and celebrate community generosity.
It’s appropriate that as we mark our 25th year of operations, the Food Bank has set this new standard. We are a mature part of our community and we are grateful the community is so invested in our continued growth.
Thank you, Southeast Texas!