An East Texas Food Bank staff member helps Tyler Resource Center patrons "shop" on Monday. (Raquel Villatoro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

After a staff member asked for volunteers while Tyler resident Tarisa Klaus, 55, waited in line at the East Texas Food Bank Tyler Resource Center to get fresh food, Klaus, along with nine other women, stepped up to help out. Since that day in early November, Klaus has been volunteering for the Tyler Resource Center.

When Klaus first heard of the Tyler Resource Center opening about one year ago, she knew it would help the community.

“I thought it was brilliant and what a blessing it was gonna be to the community,” Klaus said. “Being Catholic, corporal works of mercy is a big deal to us: your labor is your prayer, your prayer is your labor kind of thing. This place really exemplifies that.”

Since it opened in December 2023, the resource center has provided countless fresh foods to families. Over 50% of the center’s food consists of fresh fruits and vegetables. Since opening, the center has had 21,000 households come through their facilities, according to ETFB Chief Impact Officer Kim Morris.

In the last four months, the ETFB Tyler Resource Center has seen 2,300 families visit each month on average. In contrast, it saw varying numbers their first few months. In the center’s first month, they it 400 families and 900 families in the second month, according to Morris.

“It’s crazy. It’s been great. We’ve had a lot of learnings, a lot of growth,” Morris said.

In December 2022 — a year before opening the Tyler Resource Center — ETFB was meeting 55% of the meal gap needs in Smith County. The total meal gap in Smith County is a little over 3 million, Morris said.

As of December 2024, the food bank met 82.1% of the meal gap needs, Morris said. Morris does not attribute the growth in percentages to the resource center but she believes it plays a role.

“We’re able to offer so many more meals to neighbors to supplement what other pantry partners have also been doing in the area for so long,” Morris said.

The center’s hours of operations allow people to come to the resource center when it’s convenient for them. In addition, the resource center works with community partners including UT Health, Humana and Habitat for Humanity of Smith County to provide on-site services at the same time as families get food.

In the past, the center has had various health organizations offer medical services, including Christus Mother Frances Hospital, UT Health and Special Health Resources. Officials hope to eventually offer medical services multiple times a week so people coming to the resource center are able to get health screenings, check-ups or sign up for their services.

“We want to feed you to make sure that first need is met, but then we also want to feed you from a hope perspective; the food in general adds hope, right? It’s one less thing I have to worry about, but then also that hope is access to services that might give you another foot in the right direction to get you where you need to be to be more secure long term,” Morris said.

As a volunteer, Klaus sees the need for the pantry. One day while volunteering, she said 300 families came by in a two-hour timespan. She hears from clients who enjoy the welcoming, non-judgmental and accommodating atmosphere at the center.

“It’s a life source for so many and it touches so many that it’s not just this pantry, it’s all the pantries,” Klaus said.

Tyler resident Mary Hoff, 77, started coming to the Tyler Resource Center for the fresh food after learning she qualified for it at the Texas Human Health and Services Commission’s Office. Every week, Hoff waits in line to “shop” for food. For Hoff, being able to get meat alongside fresh produce has been a relief among her cancer, heart issues and diabetes.

“It’s a big help,” Hoff said.

When Hoff goes inside, she is greeted warmly by one of the volunteers. She enjoys coming to the pantry because she feels welcomed.

“They try to take care of us,” Hoff said.

The Tyler Resource Center is open Monday through Thursday noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. and noon to 2 p.m. on Fridays. For more information on the Tyler Resource Center, visit https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/tyler/.

In order to serve East Texas, the food bank needs volunteers. For those interested in volunteering, visit https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/join-the-fight/donate-time/.