A joint initiative between Feeding America and the nation’s milk producers launched on Apr. 2 will provide the Southeast Texas Food Bank a way to access a rare commodity for its clients. Gallons of milk should soon be among the items available to clients of food pantries receiving food from the Southeast Texas Food Bank in Beaumont.

According to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet there is a challenge in meeting that demand because it is difficult for food banks and pantries to distribute and store fresh milk.

That dilemma will soon improve, thanks to the launching of The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it to promote their health and well-being.

Hunger impacts 1 in 6 Americans, including 12.5 million families who do not have access to adequate nourishment to help them reach their full potential. In Southeast Texas, the impact of hunger is closer to 1 in 5 individuals.

It’s been a challenge for Feeding America to help food banks meet the demand for milk due to the storage and distribution issues food banks face, as well as the lack of donations of the product – non-perishable items are more likely to be donated from national and local donors.

Now, it’s going to be easier and more practical for Southeast Texas residents to get engaged in an initiative that can result in contributing nutritious milk to food insecure families in our community.

Donors willing to support the Great American Milk Drive can make an impact with a simple click of a mouse (www.MilkLife.com/give) or text message (text “Milk” to 27722). Those steps will now help make an impact in milk distribution for any donation of $5 or more to the drive.

For every $5 donated by a Southeast Texas resident, the Southeast Texas Food Bank will receive coupons for free milk that it will distribute to its member agencies to share with families who currently lack access to fresh milk.