We are Here for the Texas Panhandle

During this time of crisis and uncertainty, please know, the High Plains Food Bank is here for our neighbors who struggle with food insecurity across 29 counties of the Texas Panhandle.

We strive to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to alleviate hunger across the Texas Panhandle. It was a difficult decision to limit public access to our building. However, it’s the most responsible and prudent decision we can make, based on the advice of government officials and health experts, to protect the health of our staff and community.

Although we’re currently closed to volunteers, tour groups, and the general walk-ins, our staff is onsite, working hard together at socially appropriate distances to sustain operations. Much of our business is being conducted over the phone, email and virtual meetings. After all, if we get sick or spread the virus to those we serve, we are not effectively helping our communities.

Last year, we distributed a record-breaking 9.03 million pounds of food to a monthly average of 9,232 families, and that was before COVID-19 hit the High Plains. Currently, we are seeing a sharp increase in calls and messages for help.

How High Plains Food Bank Works
High Plains Food Bank is the clearinghouse and distribution center for about 185 feeding partners, all of which are non-profit (501C3) organizations including emergency food pantries, shelters, recovery centers, & other non-profits. Our network of feeding partners spans the 29-county service area to serve people facing food insecurity in their communities. This allows HPFB to efficiently deliver food to serve our most vulnerable. It’s similar to how food distributors like Ben E Keith and Affiliated Foods, etc. source food for restaurants and grocery stores to serve their customers.

Except for a few highly targeted direct feeding programs, including Kids Cafe, CSFP senior food boxes, direct mobile distribution, and Mobile Harvest, we are not able to distribute food to the general population. It is against tax code laws for us to sell our inventory, and the food bank cannot directly distribute to individuals.

Getting Help

In response to COVID-19, we’ve suspended Mobile Harvest until further notice. However our other direct feeding programs (Kids Cafe, direct mobile distributions, and CSFP) continue with modifications.

A Facebook group called Panhandle COVID-19 Home Help is a grassroots effort allowing neighbors to help each other. For person to person assistance, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2888605351258209/

Or, for a list of our feeding partners, visit https://hpfb.org/help-now

Help Us Help Neighbors in Need

We are working hard to continue operations to the best of our ability during a crisis situation, gathering every possible resource to provide food to all who need it. And, we’re facing a sharp increase in demand.

More kids, parents, and seniors in our community are going hungry as a result of this ongoing crisis, and they’re calling for help. Those who were already struggling are at even great risk – not only to eat but to stay healthy.

Now is the time for us to unite and to take care of our neighbors. We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know that your kindness is needed right now. If you are able, please give now to help those struggling with hunger. We are in this together.

Sincerely,

Tina Brohlin