The East Texas Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that serves as a central hub for distributing food to various charitable organizations in 26 counties of East Texas. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints generously donated a substantial amount — 40,000 pounds — of essential goods to support the East Texas Food Bank in its mission to alleviate hunger and provide assistance to those in need within the community.

“This is such an incredible donation that we received from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said David Emerson, CEO of East Texas Food Bank. “It’s always hard year round to get food, but in the summer it’s especially difficult to get good quality products.”

The donation included a variety of items such as pasta, vegetables, peanut butter, as well as essential household products like laundry and soap detergent.

“Peanut butter is one of the hardest things for us to get,” Emerson said. “There’s also flour here … We never have flour.”

The East Texas Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that serves as a central hub for distributing food to various charitable organizations in 26 counties of East Texas.

“This donation came directly from the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ in Salt Lake City,” said Daren Yeager, president of Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in East Texas. “It was brought by an 18-wheeler and delivered over 40,000 pounds of goods to the East Texas Food Bank.”

Yeager said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distributes food both locally and globally. He noted the East Texas Food Bank has received four truckloads of donations from the church in recent years.

“To see all of these resources being delivered to the East Texas Food Bank where they will be able to get directly to members of our community is very fulfilling for us,” he said.

Recently, the youth of the church helped with an area-wide service project, ongoing help at the mobile distribution, and regular food donations. This timing of the donation will help offset some of the demand for food for families, especially those who were impacted by recent storms.

“We just are grateful for the opportunity to be able to bless the lives of the members of our community through this donation to the food bank,” Yeager said.

According to the church, they strive to help with the ETFB’s mission to relieve the burden of food insecurity throughout East Texas.

“Our members volunteer here and we have watched this facility grow and so we are always pleased to have the opportunity to help strengthen the East Texas Food Bank,” Yeager said.

As the population of East Texas continues to expand, the presence and influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have similarly grown, reflecting a commitment to serving the needs of local residents and fostering a sense of community through outreach programs, humanitarian efforts, and spiritual support.

“The partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is incredible,” Emerson said. “We have a great relationship with them and we appreciate everything that they do for us. (And) it’s not just the food they give, but they come and volunteer on a regular basis.”

Last year, ETFB awarded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as one of their Hunger Hero award winners for their volunteer service.

“One of our pantry partners was hit by one of the tornadoes,” Emerson said. “So, they need all the resources they can get. We’ll run extra trucks, push out more food.”

The nonprofit aims to alleviate hunger by providing food to those in need through partnerships with food donors, volunteers, and community organizations. The food bank also conducts programs and initiatives to promote food security and nutrition education in the region.

“We want to fight hunger and feed hope,” Emerson said. “(Donations like this) help us to keep our shelves here full … food is available to our partners to feed the neighbors. That’s what it’s all about.”

For more information on East Texas Food Bank on how you can either donate or volunteer, visit www.easttexasfoodbank.org.