The Quitman Summer Feed Program began operations this week at the First United Methodist Church in the J.O.Y Hall at 207 N. Goldsmith during lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

It will continue through Aug. 11.

The Hawkins Summer Feed Program has been operating at Jarvis Christian University since June 5 for breakfast (7:30-8) and lunch (12-12:30) Monday through Friday and concludes July 28.

Since October 1988, the East Texas Food Bank (ETFB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has provided food to over 200 partner agencies and food programs throughout East Texas in an effort to feed children, the working poor and seniors. 

Wood County benefits from ETFB services in several ways. For example, ETFB helps supply the Quitman Backpack Program with weekend meals for needy school-age children during the school year. It also operates a Senior Box Program in Mineola that offers boxes of food each month to qualified low-income seniors, and it operates mobile pantries monthly in Quitman (3rd Wednesday) and Mineola (last Thursday) to distribute free produce and other food items to all in Wood County who need them. 

ETFB also provides a Summer Feed Program that serves children in low-income communities with free meals daily during the summer months when school is not in session. Eligible communities must be located in an area where 50% or more of the children qualify for free or reduced lunches. Quitman and Hawkins have been identified as such. The meals are available for free to youth and children 18 years of age or younger.

Each Summer Feed meal is prepared daily at ETFB and consists of a nutritious balance of milk, grain products, meat or cheese, and fruit or vegetable. ETFB delivers the meals to the distribution location fresh every morning prior to lunch. 

Members of the church and the Quitman Rotary Club are joining forces with ETFB to conduct the Quitman program. 

All Wood County families who need assistance with feeding their families are encouraged to take advantage of ETFB’s free mobile pantry and summer feed programs. There is no need to register for either and no proof of income is required. If you don’t need the assistance, tell a neighbor who might.