East Texas

The East Texas Food Bank this morning received a donation of more than 50,000 pounds of chicken from Pilgrim’s Pride foods.

The Tyler-based food bank estimates the donation will help provide 39,000 meals.
The food bank issued a prepared statement with comments from food bank and Pilgrims Pride representatives.

“Over the past year, the East Texas Food Bank’s USDA commodities are down almost 650,000 pounds that includes food staple items like canned fruit, canned vegetables, and meats,” said Robert L. Bush, executive director of the food bank. “To help meet the increasing needs in our community, the food bank has purchased more than one million more pounds of food than last year – that’s why this donation is so significant to the East Texas Food Bank.”

Gary Rhodes, vice president of corporate communications and investor relations at Pilgrim’s Pride, one of the nation’s largest chicken producers, said, “At this time of year, food banks face unprecedented demand for help in their local communities. We’re proud to help the East Texas Food Bank provide nutritious meals for hungry families in our area so that the holidays can be a little brighter for everyone.”

Chicken and other protein items are the least-donated food product to the food bank, Bush said.

(Submitted photo)