Tyler, Texas (KLTV) – Inflation has increased the number of people who need to buy groceries for their families and themselves.
Ricky Garner is the pastor of Bethel Bible Church’s Hope Campus and partners with the East Texas Food Bank to help meet the needs of the neighborhood.
“A food bank just happened to be doing the same thing and felt the same need, so they reached out to me a little over a year ago to see if we would partner with them,” says Ricky Garner.
Since starting the partnership, Garner says it serves 250 to 300 households on the first Wednesday of each month.
“No requirements, no ID, nothing. Just drive to get food,” says Garner.
All you have to do is drive to the parking lot and tell the volunteer how many people you need food for.
Garner said inflation and high food prices have led to more cars queuing to pick up food.
“We have quite a few people lining up pretty early each month to get their food,” says Garner.
The East Texas Food Bank offers a wide variety of foods depending on the season and time of year.
“I know there’s a lot of sweet potatoes, white potatoes and good cabbage. It’s good home cooking. You can take it and make a good dish out of it,” says Judd Bayliffe.
Judd Beyliffe is a volunteer and member of the Bethel Bible Church.
Garner says there is no limit to how much food one car can receive.
Food Drives are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Bethel Bible’s Hope Campus. The church is located at 504 West 32nd Street in his Tyler.
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