Tyler High and Tyler Legacy are coming together again this year before their big football rivalry to raise funds and food to support the East Texas Food Bank’s BackPack program as part of the 36th Annual Pantry Raid.
The East Texas Food Bank and the Tyler Independent School District host the annual event. Since the pantry raid began in 1991, students have raised more than two million meals!
“Child hunger is a concern in our region. According to new Feeding America Map the Meal Gap statistics, one in four East Texas children are food insecure,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank (ETFB). “Many students’ families depend on the ETFB BackPack program to help fill the weekend hunger gap, so we greatly appreciate the students for keeping this event going for 36 years!”
Last year, students raised funds and food to provide 137,000 meals. Tyler High and Tyler Legacy students will collect food and funds over the next several weeks. Monetary donations will support ETFB’s programs that serve Tyler ISD students, such as the BackPack Program. More than 8,800 East Texas children receive BackPacks every weekend filled with nutritious, kid-friendly food.
“The yearly Pantry Raid shows what can happen when our two high schools come together for a shared purpose,” said Jennifer Hines, Tyler ISD Chief Communications Officer. “Our students know this effort is about helping classmates and families who may not have enough food over the weekend. For 36 years, they have continued to step up, serve others, and make a real difference in the lives of their peers.”
The results will be announced at halftime during the two Tyler schools’ annual football game on Friday, September 4, at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Online donations can be made at tylerpantryraid.com
About the East Texas Food Bank
Established in 1988, the East Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief nonprofit in East Texas, covering 26 counties. ETFB provides over 30 million meals each year to over 200 partner agencies and feeding programs. Our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in East Texas. For more information, visit EastTexasFoodBank.org