NEW BOSTON, Texas– Harvest Regional Food Bank’s mobile pantry will distribute food boxes to Bowie County residents Sept. 7 at Trailhead Park Plaza.
The distribution will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. or until the boxes are gone..
“The need is greater than ever,” Harvest CEO Camille Wrinkle said. “With the recent rise in fuel and food prices, that’s where we come in.”
Wrinkle said approximately 50% of those who use local food pantries are senior citizens and children.
“These groups have limited resources, including transportation. This is why we have a lot of programs where we try to serve people who are in need in the areas they will be- like senior centers, healthcare partners and schools.”
Wrinkle said people often have to choose between putting food on the table for their families or purchasing something else essential, like medicine, clothing or rent.
“If we don’t have as many church food pantries or resources somewhere, we often will actually take the food to these communities ourselves,” Wrinkle said. “We do mobile pantries in six locations across the Texarkana area. We’re fortunate to have New Boston as one of those locations that we distribute food boxes at least four times a year.”
Wrinkle said it would be difficult to do the work that needs to be done without community support.
“We have support in New Boston from several community groups and city employees that help there to make this happen,” Wrinkle said.
Wrinkle said her nonprofit organization is always seeking volunteers and financial support, as the rise in food costs has also affected the food bank.
“Even though we’re not going to retail stores — we utilize low-cost vendors that work with food banks — the cost has still increased for us,” Wrinkle said. “Any support that we can have helps us to purchase and provide more food to the community.”
Those who would like a food box must bring a form of ID that proves Bowie County residency. For more information, call 870-774-1398 or visit www.harvestregionalfoodbank.org.
