Starting this Sunday, June 28, the High Plains Food Bank will begin a monthly community food distribution event. The food bank has partnered with Bethesda Outreach and Tyson Foods to help alleviate hunger across the area. The distribution begins at 5pm and recipients will receive a 16-pound food box that includes 4 pounds of dry goods, 6 pounds of protein and 6 pounds of produce. You will be able to collect your food items at the Bethesda Outreach Center, 1101 Fritch Highway, just off northeast Amarillo Boulevard.

“Thanks to a generous grant from Tyson and the volunteer force and facilities of Bethesda Outreach, we’ll be able to provide food boxes to about 200 families through this monthly distribution,” said Zack Wilson, executive director for High Plains Food Bank. “We had a similar partnership in 2018-19 that was very successful and popular. With the changes caused by COVID-19, the need continues to grow, so we’re excited to offer this again.”

 

“The first step to strengthening our community is to alleviate hunger,” said Garrett Dolan, senior manager for corporate social responsibility at Tyson. “Our team members provide essential services to keep our neighbors fed, and we know that a community is only as strong as its most vulnerable populations. It’s our honor to support partnerships that nourish and educate the communities who are most at-risk.”

Recipients need to bring only an ID to qualify. To protect the health of volunteers, staff and the community, food boxes will be distributed via a drive-through, and volunteers will adhere to current COVID-19 recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control.

The community food distribution will continue for 12 months on the last Sunday of each month, with the exception of December. Due to the Christmas holiday, that distribution will take place on January 3, 2021. The food box distribution is possible thanks to a $65,000 grant from Tyson Foods, which allows HPFB to purchase food. Bethesda Outreach is providing the distribution site and volunteers.

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