Civic leaders from Quitman and Mineola sat around a table brainstorming Wednesday morning. The issue at hand? How to organize so that Wood County can continue feeding its hungry, after the East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) had to cut workers at several of their drop sites due to budget constraints.

While the ETFB is still providing food for the drop, the community must come up with the organization, the equipment and the volunteers themselves, along with $2,000 a year to pay for needed items. It’s a lot, but it’s something Quitman and Mineola are more than willing to do.

“We’re gonna learn a lot this next year,” said Bill Martin of the Rotary Club of Quitman. “We’ve got a lot of people in need.”

At the meeting were Kris Ware, co-founder of the Rose Hill Community Food Pantry; Cody Mize, superintendent of Mineola ISD; Ray Shockey, director of the Mineola Rotary Club; Roy Shockey, past president and member of the Mineola Rotary Club; Martin; Greg Hollen, past assistant governor and member of the Quitman Rotary Club; and Chris Mason, superintendent of Quitman ISD.

According to organizers and team leaders, little will be changing for the public regarding the food disbursement, except to cut down on the complexity of the drop.

“Mineola and Quitman are the exact same setup; we’re not moving or changing anything,” said Martin.

However, some members of the organizing group voiced concerns about ongoing relations with ETFB. According to group leaders, they have not been given any guarantee of the longevity of the partnership with ETFB or any guarantee of what kind or quality of food they will be receiving to disburse.

“Do we become a stepchild that gets seven pallets of onions, and that’s it?” asked Ray Shockey.

“There’s really no guarantees going in,” answered Martin. “If we run into problems, we’re going to have to be a squeaky wheel, and just say, ‘We’ve got a lot of people coming for food, and we need good food, and a variety of food.’” 

While the new method of food disbursement will take significantly more work and fundraising from local communities, group leaders are prepared and committed to their task. 

“On a good month, you’re looking at probably 1,000 families (to feed),” said Mize. 

“It’s a lot of families,” agreed Martin. “That’s why we can’t let this thing drop.”

The Rose Hill Community Food Pantry offered to bring produce and pallets; QISD and MISD are providing pallet movers, tables, storage and drop sites; the Mineola and Quitman Rotary Clubs will fundraise and bring volunteers; and the media will continue to raise awareness of the situation.

The first food disbursement where each community will be “flying solo” is planned for February in Quitman and March in Mineola. Martin says that they still need volunteers to help distribute food and more attendees to come receive the free food.

To volunteer, contact Bill Martin at wcmartin1@gmail.com; in the email, note a preference, if any, on volunteering in Quitman or Mineola.