KWTX Food for Families drive prepares for increased demand
Annual food drive aims to surpass last year’s 2.2 million pounds collected as SNAP benefits remain disrupted
GATESVILLE, Texas (KWTX) - Volunteers at the Gatesville Care Center are preparing for KWTX’s annual Food for Families drive, which is Nov. 21 and organizers said the event is needed more than ever due to inflation and disrupted SNAP benefits.
The drive is the largest one-day food drive in Texas. Last year, local food pantries collected 2.2 million pounds of non-perishable food.
At the Gatesville Care Center, volunteers work to pack food boxes for families in need. The center feeds 45-50 families daily and relies heavily on donations from the Food for Families drive.
Students volunteer year-round
Gatesville High School students from the Peer Assistance and Leadership program volunteer at the care center multiple times per week throughout the year. Seth Finely, a PALS program member and senior, said the group increases their efforts as the food drive approaches.
“It’s great. Knowing that there’s people in our community that need help,” Finely said. “The entire community really, we’re so supportive of Gatesville, I love it. It’s a smaller community, we all know each other and lending a helping hand.”
SNAP disruption increases need
Executive Director Deral McWorther said the care center started packing food early this year, with community members also donating money ahead of the event.
“People in this town, in the surrounding area, they know what do. You just tell them when and where and they rise to the occasion,” McWorther said.
McWorther said this year’s food drive is especially important because of disrupted SNAP benefits.
“The way this may play out may escalate our numbers a whole lot. We need a great food drive every year to keep our shelves stocked and our pantry filled back there. But this year maybe more than ever because of the SNAP program,” he said.
Finely said he wants to help families affected by the SNAP disruption.
“Families who are not allowed with those benefits, they don’t have that currently, this is crucial,” Finely said. “I personally don’t understand, I’m not related to the struggle, but close community we can feel for those. We know the struggle and we’re there for them.”
The Food for Families drive takes place Nov. 21. Organizers hope to surpass last year’s collection of 2.2 million pounds of non-perishable food.
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