East Texas Food Bank Honors Hunger Heroes Across 26 Counties

During Hunger Action Month, the East Texas Food Bank honored longtime volunteers in the Texarkana area with Hunger Hero Awards for their dedication to fighting hunger across 26 counties. Mark and Nadara Sperry received the Hunger Hero Lifetime Achievement Award for over 20 years of service at the Westside Church of Christ food pantry, which distributes thousands of pounds of food monthly. Cass County pastors Kara and Chad Mitchell were also recognized for operating two local food pantries, highlighting the importance of community involvement in addressing hunger. According to Feeding America, one in five East Texans, including one in four children, face hunger year-round, emphasizing the ongoing need for food assistance and volunteer support. Similarly, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma reported a 26 percent increase in people seeking help, urging more community action through volunteering and donations. Both regions stress that combating hunger is a year-round effort requiring widespread community collaboration and support.