Holiday 2016

You’re Sharing Hope This

Holiday Season!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: OFFICERS:

PresidentMark Lowe, Prosperity Bank

Vice PresidentLee Stringham, The Stringham Law Firm, PLLC

TreasurerJefferson Cox, Frost Bank

SecretaryAlex Hester, SM Energy

Executive DirectorLibby Campbell, West Texas Food Bank

DIRECTORS:

Mona Ables, Concho ResourcesMariann Bagley, Community AdvocateSandra Blaydes, Community AdvocateGreg Clark, Jubilee CenterTammy Clements, T & E ServicesDavid Dowd, H-E-BRodney Hall, Choat EnterprisesMelanie Hollmann, Atkins, Hollmann, Jones,

Peacock, Lewis & Lyon, Inc.Sally Kvasnicka, Fasken Oil and Ranch, Ltd. Shelby Landgraf, Community AdvocateR.J Lopez, Parkhill Smith & CooperMike Morgan, Albertson’sMinka Sibert, Cisco EquipmentMichael Tasker, West Texas Boring/GCM CapitalAmy Ward, Cashway RentalBrian Whytlaw, Southwest Commercial CapitalDianne Williams, Community Advocate

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER:Raymond Chavez, Major Electric Co., Inc.Barbara Davis, Community AdvocateManisha Desai, Pediatric Physician Suzanne Dickerson, Community AdvocateWade Kuehler, Permian Basin Rehabilitation

Center Melanie Patton, Security BankCindi Wiehle, Community AdvocateTony Zuniga, H-E-B

Connect with us online:

T he joyful holiday season will soon be upon us. For many of our neighbors, this time of year is filled with friends, family, food and fellowship. I’ve been looking forward to annual

holiday traditions with my loved ones, like sharing a warm meal of tamales and attending mass on Christmas Eve. But for those recovering from loss, dealing with illness or facing financial challenges, the holidays can be a painful reminder of hardship. The recent state of our economy has left countless families in an uncertain situation. Lay-offs and limited work hours mean our neighbors have less to spend on things like medicine, bills and food. As you celebrate the holidays, I hope you’ll take a moment to remember the people whose lives your gifts change for the better. Families at risk of hunger are able to celebrate together around a full table thanks to your support. In this special holiday edition of Community Dish, you’ll meet Kim, Carl and their three young children. Like many hardworking parents in our region, Carl is underemployed after losing a job in the oil and gas industry. Flip to his story on page 4 to learn about how your gifts are being used to help his family during this difficult time. This has been a tough year for many of us. But because I know there are compassionate individuals like you willing to offer a hand-up, I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish in 2017. I’m so grateful for your partnership. You’re giving people who struggle with hunger something to celebrate. On behalf of those we serve together, thank you for all you do.

Happy Holidays,

Dear Friend,

LIBBY CAMPBELLExecutive Director

411 S. Pagewood Ave. P.O. Box 4373 Odessa, TX 79760Phone (432) 580-6333wtxfoodbank.org

Brandon can visit the food pantry at Permian Basin Mission Center, a West Texas Food Bank partner agency in Odessa, for help feeding their family. Shelly accompanied her mom on a recent visit and was able to find bananas and oranges, two of her favorite foods. “It really helps that we can come here for support,” Anastasia says of the pantry. She’s especially grateful to have access to this resource during the holidays — she’s looking forward to preparing a special meal for her family with all the fixings. Anastasia knows there’s no way she’d be able to afford that much food on her own, and she’s so grateful for friends like you who make sure she can fill her family’s table. “Your time and effort is extremely appreciated by me and my family,” she says.

Anastasia’s family has overcome several challenges over the past few years, including a period of

homelessness and the devastating loss of a child. But with time to heal, hard work and the help of friends like you, Anastasia says things are looking up for the family. Her husband, Brandon, just earned his commercial drivers license and is looking for full-time work. The couple is excited for his new opportunity. They want to provide the best life possible for their children — Shelly, 8, and Zachary, 9 — but that’s been tough with so little income. Anastasia is also trying to find a job, but because her son has special needs and requires a lot of her time, her search hasn’t turned up many viable options. Fortunately, while they work toward self-sufficiency, Anastasia and

Volunteer of the Quarter: Petra Avila & Presidio Mobile Outreach Branch

Petra Avila has lived in Presidio for the past 15 years and says the community of about 4,200 feels like

family. She worked in home health for many years until health issues forced her to retire. Most of Petra’s former clients were seniors living on fixed incomes, and she’d bring them Food Bank boxes to help fill their pantries. One day during a pick up, a Food Bank team member asked if she’d be interested in recruiting volunteers to help run one of the West Texas Food Bank’s mobile distribution effort. Although she’s no longer working, Petra has a great deal of compassion for the seniors she served — she knew the

volunteer position would be a perfect fit. She now schedules monthly volunteers, lines up pantry locations, registers food recipients and more. Each month, her efforts help feed up to 350 individuals. These seniors have a special place in Petra’s heart. “Those that I’ve been caring for all these years are the same people that we are feeding,” she says. Petra knows the needs of Presidio’s community well. There’s only one grocery store in town and food prices can be extremely high. The need is so great that some days, clients begin lining up at 4 a.m. for a 9 a.m. distribution. For Petra, helping with the mobile

pantry is her way of sharing gratitude with the friends and neighbors who’ve been there for her over the years. “When I volunteer for the Food Bank, I know that I’m part of a bigger family,” she says. “I’m helping the community that gave me so much by giving a small part of myself back.” We are so fortunate to have Petra and her dedicated volunteers as partners. Thank you for graciously giving your time!

You’re Making the Holidays Bright for Local Families

Anastasia & Shelly

“I’m helping the community that gave me so much

by giving a small part of myself back.”

Thank You for Spreading Joy

We do what we can do make ends meet,” Carl says, somberly.

His family’s situation has become increasingly uncertain since he was laid off from his job in the oil fields three months ago. He quickly found work

As the holidays approach we are excited to announce that the Abell-Hanger Foundation has issued a $100,000 matching challenge to supporters of the West Texas Food Bank. This is a very special matching gift challenge for the Food Bank.

Between now and December 31, contributions made by a donor who has never contributed to the West Texas Food Bank for unrestricted operating support or the amount of any increase in the amount of a donor’s gift in excess of the amount of the donor’s last gift to the West Texas Food Bank will be matched, dollar for dollar.

This matching challenge comes at a critical time for those at risk of hunger in our community, and we’re counting on your partnership in this effort. So many families in our community are struggling and unable to afford all of their basic needs – including food. Could you imagine not being able to

as a tire technician, but the income is much lower than his previous position.

Unfortunately Carl’s wife, Kim, hasn’t been able to work for the past couple of years due to a chronic disease. The couple would do anything for their three children. But with a diminished budget, covering basic

expenses for Kailani, 10, Ava, 8, and little Camden, 6, has become a struggle.

Your gifts are a lifeline to families across the Permian Basin. Because you choose to give, Carl and Kim can take their kids to Highland United Methodist Church, a West Texas Food Bank partner near their home, for a full, balanced evening meal.

Not being able to provide for his family has been hard on Carl. He has a plan to get back on solid financial footing — he’s working to get certified

feed your children? It’s a reality for so many of our neighbors and you can make the difference – today.

As one of the West Texas Food Bank’s supporters, we hope you will consider making a gift to the West Texas Food Bank if you have never donated before. If you have given to the West Texas Food Bank, we would ask that you consider increasing your gift so that your investment will make more of an impact in your community.

More information will be headed your way about this wonderful opportunity. If you would like to donate today to the match please feel free to contact Tina Corbett, development director, at (432) 580-6333.

as a mechanic and should soon be able to secure a better-paying job. But until then, he’s truly grateful to have your help feeding Kailani, Ava and Camden.

“Thank you very much for this hot meal,” he says. “You are a true blessing to our family!”

Kim is relieved to know her children have access to healthy fruits and vegetables when they eat dinner at the church. They really enjoy the meals, and the nutritious food will bolster their success in school and in life.

“The kids have full tummies tonight thanks to you,” Kim says to generous partners like you.

This holiday season, you’re sharing hope with families like Carl and Kim’s. Thank you for helping alleviate hunger for our neighbors!

Exciting News From the Abell-Hanger Foundation