Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas spread some Christmas cheer this season by donating $4,000 on Friday to the East Texas Food Bank. The money donated will help provide up to 32,000 meals and relief to families in the East Texas area, particularly those most significantly affected by this challenging year.
The check presentation was held at the food bank’s Tyler location by President and CEO Mechele Mills and Camille Brown, BBB Board Chair. Accepting the check on behalf of The East Texas Food Bank was Dennis Cullinane, who has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2010.
“Our Board of Directors saw a great need to feed families this holiday season as many have experienced job loss and decreased incomes due to the pandemic”, Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas said. “We hope this brings some relief to those in our community who are hurting. We are grateful to have this opportunity to. give back to a community who has been so supportive of us.”
The funds donated to the food bank originated from the Community Relief Fund launched in April 2020 by the Better Business Bureau in an effort to help East Texas organizations that experienced a severe financial impact from COVID-19. BBB collaborated with Austin Bank and Your Philanthropy to provide an efficient funding stream through community donations. These funds were disbursed to applicants in three phases and helped numerous businesses with operational costs. The BBB Board of Directors voted to grant the remaining funds to the East Texas Food Bank.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas. Their donation comes at the perfect time as the need for assistance is greater this holiday season,” said East Texas Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Dennis Cullinane. “Unfortunately, one in five East Texans are facing hunger every day, but thanks to the support of our partners like BB, we are able to feed hope for our neighbors in need.”Since 1988, The East Texas Food Bank, a member of Feeding America and a BBB Accredited Charity, has provided meals for children, the working poor, and seniors throughout 26 counties in East Texas. The food bank’s sources include national, regional, and local food manufactures, brokers, wholesalers, and retailers who donate various food items and produce. Other sources of donations are gathered through community canned food drives throughout the year.
The East Texas Food Bank is located at 3201 Robertson Road, Tyler, TX, 75701, and can be reached at 903-597-3663. For more information or if you would like to donate, go to easttexasfoodbank.org.
If you would like to donate to a charity you can trust, go to give.org and help those in need this holiday season.
About BBB: BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Visit bbb.org for more information. There are over 100 local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including BBB Serving Central East Texas, which was founded in 1985 and serves 19 counties.
