Tyler Reporter

The East Texas Food Bank has been awarded a $1.89 million grant by the TLL Temple Foundation to help address food insecurity.

The new program, the Deep East Texas Food Security Initiative, will launch July 1 according to KTRE. Focuses of the program include development, increased fresh produce distribution, and benefit application assistance. A building purchase is also underway so it can house the Deep East Texas Resource Center in Lufkin.

Because of the grant, East Texas Food Bank will be able to dramatically increase fresh produce distribution. There is funding for 600,000 pounds of produce in fiscal year 2021 and 1.2 million pounds in fiscal year 2022. 

ETFB's benefit assistance program will also be expanded. Partner agencies will be available to help clients sign up for programs including SNAP, WIC and Medicaid.

Lufkin's Deep East Texas Resource Center will host a Healthy Pantry Program, offer nutrition classes, distribute fresh produce, provide on-site benefits assistance and provide access to other services such as the Texas Workforce Commission and Health and Human Services programs.