By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor

A record-breaking winter storm dealt yet another blow to Texans who are still reeling from effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources are stretched thin, and the list of people and organizations who need assistance is long.

In the past year, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) sponsored two co-op contribution programs, Feeding Texas and Feeding the Need, to help county Farm Bureaus provide relief for hungry Texans at a local level.

Through those efforts, TFB assisted 161 county Farm Bureaus in contributing $560,000 in much-needed aid.

But the recent winter storm has brought additional challenges to many Texans. And TFB is ready to help again.

The TFB board of directors authorized the Texas Farm Bureau Helping Hands Program to meet a variety of needs in communities across the state.

“We continue to believe that county Farm Bureaus are best suited to determine needs in their communities and facilitate the distribution of funds at a local level,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “This unprecedented weather brought a whole new host of hardships to an already-vulnerable population, many of whom were still struggling with loss of employment or other issues related to the pandemic.”

Through the Helping Hands Program, TFB will provide a 2-to-1 match for county Farm Bureau contributions up to $750 for any qualified donation. Entities that provide food and shelter or meet other basic needs should be a priority, as well as other non-profits that were affected by this historic weather event.

This program will be in effect for expenditures incurred from Feb. 15 through April 30, or until budgeted funds are exhausted.

“TFB considers itself one big family, and like any family would do in a time of need, we’re reaching out to our brothers and sisters to lend a helping hand,” Boening said. “Neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, we’re all in this together, and that’s how we will get through it.”

Contact your local county Farm Bureau office for more information.