TEXARKANA, Ark. -- U.S. House Rep. Nathaniel Moran traveled Wednesday to the Twin Cities to learn more about Harvest Regional Food Bank's impact in the region.
The sounds of forklift machines and boxes hitting the pavement filled the 20,000-square-foot warehouse as Moran, who represents Texas' 1st Congressional District, toured the facility led by Executive Director Camille Wrinkle. He witnessed firsthand the effect of Harvest's hunger relief program and the impact of hunger on low-income residents in the area as he spoke with staff and board members.
The food bank was founded in Texarkana and has served as the hunger relief provider for Bowie County and nine counties in Southwest Arkansas for over 30 years. Harvest serves as the lifeline for thousands of families who wonder where their next meal will come from. Last year, it distributed nearly 4 million pounds of food.
"Today we are celebrating what is happening at Harvest Regional Food Bank, and it is such a pleasure to be here to see service in action," Moran said. "This is one of the things I'm grateful about as I represent East Texas in Washington, D.C, is talking about the services by oriented hearts and minds of East Texas."
As Moran made his way through the warehouse with shelves stacked with boxes of food ready to be shipped out to local churches, pantries and schools, Wrinkle pointed out that Harvest's new deep freezer is able to store a substantial amount of fresh produce.
Wrinkle informed Moran about Harvest's recent partnership with CHRISTUS clinics to create specialized food boxes for those dealing with hypertension and diabetes.
Moran also learned more about Harvest's annual Summer Feeding Program in addition to its After School Feeding Programs in the fall. Last year, Harvest provided nearly 10,000 meals through the programs.
Wrinkle is excited about the upcoming additions to Harvest and enjoyed showing off the facility.
"Anytime we have someone from Congress or the Senate come and visit the food bank, it is very encouraging to us to know that the work we're doing, the hours our volunteers and our team put into fighting hunger, is not going unnoticed," Wrinkle said.
Moran also got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the new construction in progress at Harvest, including expanding its office and building a commercial kitchen and an education center.
"We will soon be able to cook hot meals here, which will help feed even more people in the area," Wrinkle said.
Moran is optimistic that adding the commercial kitchen will continue to help those who are facing food insecurities and believes the impact begins at a local level.
"It starts with the feet and hands and actions of individuals by simply saying every day, 'I'm going to give back in some small way' through volunteer work, donations, and participation that our friends and neighbors are taking care of," Moran said.