By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Smith County Farm Bureau leaders once again volunteered their time at King’s Storehouse Food Bank in Tyler as their Food Connection Day event.
The board of directors bagged 1,380 pounds of flour for the nondenominational Christian organization that distributes food from a central location to nonprofit organizations that help feed those in need in East Texas.
“Working with King’s Storehouse for Food Connection Day helps make an impact and a positive difference in our community,” Kacy Mitchell, Smith County Farm Bureau president, said.
The board of directors spent a few hours repackaging flour this year. In previous years, they’ve helped repackage trail mix, rice, cornmeal, cereal and other commodities.
“They get food donated from other companies around the community and from private donors, as well as purchase food themselves,” Mitchell said. “They buy it in bulk. It’s in 50 lb. sacks. They take it from that and make small bags to sell at a very low cost in their store or to donate to other food banks and organizations that help feed the hungry in Tyler and the East Texas area.”
Smith County Farm Bureau also donated $500 to the nonprofit organization.
Nine years ago, Smith County Farm Bureau decided the King’s Storehouse Food Bank’s mission aligned well with its goal of giving back and raising awareness in the community for those who are in need.
Smith County Farm Bureau has been partnering with the nonprofit since then.
“We’ve built a relationship with them, and everybody looks forward to going back every year,” Mitchell said. “We want to be a voice of agriculture, and we want to be a positive light in the community and help others. We are looking to help enrich and build other people’s lives, whether it’s through leadership opportunities or knowledge or even something like this—where we give back to the community through our time and labor to help out others in need.”
Texas Food Connection Day is an opportunity for farmers and ranchers to reach out, connect and start a conversation about agriculture with local communities.
“This also gives us the opportunity to tell our story about agriculture to other people and talk about where their food comes from,” Mitchell said. “I can’t tell you how many people have seen the Farm Bureau logo on our shirts, and it starts conversations about food and agriculture. Then, it’s our opportunity to be tell them about what we do as an organization and the farmers and ranchers we represent.”
The Food Connection event allowed Smith County Farm Bureau to give back to the community, especially during a time when community members need it most, Mitchell said.
“King’s Storehouse has seen an increase in need from the community over the last couple of years because of the pandemic,” she said. “They had a lot more people coming into their storefront, and the other nonprofits that they give food to for church organizations or other groups that help feed the hungry, they’ve had an increase in that, as well.”
For more information about Texas Food Connection Day, visit texasfarmbureau.org/texas-food-connection-day.