The West Texas Food Bank is facing a critical challenge, with the cost of living and inflation driving up the demand for its services. But the organization is determined to meet this need, thanks to a generous 0,000 matching grant from the Abell-Hanger Foundation. As the food bank works to raise an additional 0,000 from the community, it is calling on local residents to step up and support its mission of fighting hunger in the region.

Doubling the Impact: The Abell-Hanger Foundation's Matching Grant

The West Texas Food Bank has long enjoyed the support of the Abell-Hanger Foundation, a local philanthropic organization that has offered a matching grant to the food bank for many years. This year, the foundation has pledged to match up to 0,000 in donations, effectively doubling the impact of the community's contributions.

Addressing Increased Demand

According to Libby Stephens, the Chief Executive Officer of the West Texas Food Bank, the need for the organization's services has grown significantly in recent years. "Our need has increased so much over the last several years," Stephens said. "A lot of that has to do, of course, with just the cost of living; with inflation; the cost of groceries; the cost of fuel; the cost of your electric bills; your car insurance … Even for us, the cost of food has gone up so not only are we serving more people, we're having to spend more money on food than we ever have."To address this increased demand, the food bank is aiming to raise over 0,000 through the Abell-Hanger Foundation's matching grant and community donations. These funds will be used to purchase food for the 19 counties the organization serves, ensuring that families in need have access to the nourishment they require.

The Community's Vital Role

The West Texas Food Bank has long relied on the generosity and support of the local community, and Stephens is confident that this tradition will continue. "West Texas is such an amazing place and I always think that I'm really lucky that I live here but also (that) I get to work in such an amazing organization with such amazing community support," she said.The food bank is calling on community members to contribute what they can, whether through monetary donations or volunteer time. "We'd also like to say please bring your families out to come volunteer. We have some family volunteer days that are coming up and we definitely have lots of things to do," Stephens said.

Providing for the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, the West Texas Food Bank is gearing up to continue its tradition of providing turkeys and other festive fare to families in need. "We're excited to be able to continue that tradition this year," Stephens said, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all members of the community can enjoy the warmth and joy of the holidays.The food bank's efforts to meet the increased demand and provide for the holidays are a testament to its unwavering commitment to fighting hunger in West Texas. With the support of the Abell-Hanger Foundation and the local community, the organization is poised to make a significant impact in the lives of those who are struggling to put food on the table.