Holiday 2017

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The holidays are all about gathering around the table with loved ones and reflecting on what we’re blessed with in life: good health, true friends, a steady income and more. But there are many families in our community

who aren’t able to take part in the simple joy of a special family dinner.Whether they’re recovering from a job loss, coping with an illness

or simply figuring out how to afford an unexpected expense — financial obstacles can feel more painful during times of celebration, like the holidays.

Here at the West Texas Food Bank, we have the privilege of watching how our caring community responds during this season of sharing. It’s so gratifying to see individuals like you embrace our mission — and it’s even better to be able to pass your support on to the people we serve so that they, too, can enjoy a holiday meal together.

You’ll meet some of the neighbors who benefit from your gifts in this special holiday issue of Community Dish. I hope you’ll take the time to read about how you’re changing the lives of families like Yvette’s on page 4. As you enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, please keep Yvette’s family on your heart — they’re able to celebrate, too, because you choose to give.

I feel confident in our work as we approach a new year because I know how much you care. Friends like you have helped the West Texas Food Bank make great strides in the fight against hunger, and I’m so excited to see what we’ll accomplish together in 2018.

This holiday season, families across the Permian Basin are giving thanks for you. We’re so glad you choose to fight hunger here at home.

Sincerely,

Dear Friend,

LIBBY CAMPBELLExecutive Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: OFFICERS:PresidentLee Stringham, The Stringham Law Firm, PLLC

Vice PresidentJefferson Cox, Frost Bank

TreasurerBrian Whytlaw, Southwest Commercial Capital

SecretaryAlex Hester, SM Energy

Executive DirectorLibby Campbell, West Texas Food Bank DIRECTORS:Mona Ables, Community Advocate Mariann Bagley, Community AdvocateSandra Blaydes, Community AdvocateArturo Carrasco, Chevron CorporationDavid Dowd, H-E-BRodney Hall, Choat EnterprisesRicky Holman, Market Street Melanie Hollmann, Atkins, Hollmann, Jones,

Peacock, Lewis & Lyon, Inc.Judge Billy Johnson, Midland County Precinct #3Mark Kondrup, Shared Spaces Sally Kvasnicka, Fasken Oil and Ranch, Ltd. Elizabeth Jones, Concho ResourcesShelby Landgraf, Community AdvocateR.J Lopez, Parkhill Smith & CooperMark Lowe, Prosperity BankMinka Sibert, Cisco EquipmentBernie Spears, Odessa Housing Authority Amy Ward, Cashway RentalDianne Williams, Community AdvocateLeah Wilson, Security BankEzra Yacob, EOG Resources, Inc. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER:Raymond Chavez, Major Electric Co., Inc.Tammy Clements, T & E ServicesBarbara Davis Donnelly,Community AdvocateManisha Desai, Pediatric Physician Suzanne Dickerson, Community AdvocateWade Kuehler, Abell-Hanger Foundation Michael Tasker, West Texas Boring/GCM CapitalCindi Wiehle, Community Advocate

Connect with us online:

411 S. Pagewood Ave. Odessa, TX 79761(432) 580-6333

1601 Westcliff DriveMidland, TX 79703(432) 697-4003

wtxfoodbank.org

Thank You for Bringing Families Hope

“This is a blessing.”

Volunteer of the Quarter: Chick-fil-A Midland DriveSince their store has been

undergoing an extensive remodel, our friends at the

Chick-fil-A on Midland Drive have been giving their extra time off work at the West Texas Food Bank!

Stephanie Fitzpatrick, the location’s director, says their team has really enjoyed their volunteer work. The crew has put their speedy drive-thru skills to good use sorting food here

in our warehouse — our staff has been impressed with how quickly they can sort boxes of donations!

The Chick-fil-A team also helps out with the Food Bank’s senior pantry days by assisting elderly clients with choosing and carrying their groceries. They say they really enjoy interacting directly with the people the Food Bank serves.

“It’s important to pause and

help your community,” Stephanie says. “Even a few hours of your time can make a difference.”

Stephanie says her crew hopes to continue their work with the West Texas Food Bank even after the store’s remodel is completed. They’re planning monthly volunteer days — and we’re thrilled to see their efforts continue.

Thank you so much to Stephanie and her generous Chick-fil-A team. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the help of friends like you!

Devia takes home a box of healthy groceries from Midland Baptist Crisis Center.

“When you see your kids walk to an empty fridge, it breaks your heart,” Devia

says, with emotion in her voice.She’s raising her two children —

Rajalique, 12, and Breonzay, 14 — on her own. Devia was able to provide for their needs just fine until she lost her job, then her transportation. Her most devastating loss was about a year ago — Devia’s father passed away.

If mourning her dad wasn’t painful enough, Devia had to cover his final expenses, which ended up being far more costly than she expected. When we met her at Midland Baptist Crisis Center, her local West Texas Food Bank partner agency, Devia told us how difficult the past several months had been for her family. She admitted that she’s had to miss meals to ensure her children have food on the table.

Both Devia’s kids are active and happy — Breonzay plays in the school band and Rajalique’s on the honor roll. Their mom is doing her best to secure a new job, but until then, she is so glad she can visit the Crisis Center for help with food.

With the holidays just around the corner, Devia’s looking forward to sharing a meal with her kids around an abundant table. She’s truly grateful for friends like you, who help ensure they’ll be able to celebrate together.

“This is a blessing,” she says with a warm smile.

Because of your generous support, families across our community have hope in the form of good, nutritious food. Thank you for sharing what you have!

Midland Drive Chick-fil-A employees volunteer at the Food Bank

Mandelyn and her little brother, Leland, are excited to find some of their favorite foods at Catholic Charities in Odessa.

You’re Making the Holidays Bright!

Y our partnership makes a difference throughout the year. But during this special season, families like Yvette’s are especially grateful for your support.

Yvette and her husband, Jonathan, are raising little Mia, 3, Ezmariah, 4, JoDaniel, 5, and Mandelyn, 7, in Odessa. They’re a close family and have several relatives in the area. The couple even shares their car with extended family members who don’t have access to reliable transportation.

Jonathan works as a mechanic, but when we spoke to Yvette, she told us he hasn’t been able to work as many hours as he’d like lately.

“Money has been very tight,” she says.Yvette’s hoping to become a massage therapist, but until Mia and

Ezmariah are old enough to go to school, she just can’t justify the high cost of childcare.

Fortunately, Yvette found out about Catholic Charities, a Food Bank partner in Odessa which distributes nutritious food to neighbors like Yvette and Jonathan who are struggling financially.

The extra groceries from Catholic Charities’ pantry really help stretch Yvette’s monthly food budget, and since Mandelyn and JoDaniel began receiving weekend Food 2 Kids backpacks at their school, Pease Elementary, the family is under much less stress.

Yvette is the kind of mother who won’t serve herself a plate of food but rather finish her family’s leftovers. To her, your support is a true lifeline.

“I pray for you and your help,” Yvette says to Food Bank friends who care. “I give thanks.”

Your gifts are so greatly needed — and so greatly appreciated. I’m so glad you choose to stand with your hungry neighbors!

Hunger Action Month and all the activities that took placeThe 2017 Hunger Action Month campaign asked people to consider the universal feeling of an empty stomach, and how on an empty stomach, we cannot reach our full potential. The West Texas Food Bank kicked off Hunger Action Month on September 1st. Orange t-shirts, bracelets and ribbons were seen around town in Midland and Odessa, and folks had the opportunity to support the Food Bank by visiting local restaurants and other businesses that donated a percentage of their profits. Tuesday night volunteer opportunities helped build the excitement. Whether it was by advocating and raising awareness, making donations, or volunteering, our community made a difference during Hunger Action Month.

Permian Basin Restaurant Week The West Texas Food Bank had an amazing turn out for the first annual Permian Basin Restaurant Week held the last week in September. Diners enjoyed three course menus at local restaurants, and 20% of each meal’s price was donated to WTFB.

Participating restaurants included Zucchi’s Ristorante, The Legendary Barn Door Steakhouse, The Garlic Press, Venezia Restaurant, Taco Di Vino, Steak 42, Opals Table, and Ray’s Italian Bistro.

Permian Basin Restaurant Week hopes to expand to include restaurants throughout the entire 19 county area the West Texas Food Bank serves.

We are thankful you decided to dine out for good, and we certainly hope you found a new restaurant to love, or at least a new dish at one of your favorites.