Barbara R. Tresner
Volunteer
Was founded in 1994 by some local church and community members to help centralize the donation and distribution of food to those in need with the goal to reduce the hunger. The pantry has had several leaders throughout the years and at time has struggled to continued its mission. As an all-volunteer agency led by an all-volunteer board of directors it can be exciting to see the dedication and talents of volunteers and supporters in action. For years HOPE has been here doing the best it can for those in need. Nacogdoches HOPE works as a partner agency with East Texas Food Bank. This allows HOPE to receive the wealth of knowledge and guidance which that partnership allows. But in the end, it is the community of Nacogdoches its volunteers, donors, and businesses which keep this pantry open and able to function. Helping Other People Eat is a “Healthy Food Pantry” which strives to provide nutritious food through a client-choice distribution model. Clients are welcome to visit the pantry one day a week. The pantry is open Monday and Thursday from 9-11:30 am and Tuesday from 5-7 pm. to increase access to food assistance.
East Texas Food Bank partners with Nacogdoches HOPE to distribute free, fresh fruits and vegetables to families on a weekly basis. Produce Drop distributions are held separately from regular food pantry distributions. Produce is given out at noon on Thursdays on a drive through basis in the parking lot.
The Senior Box Program is designed to improve the health and nutrition of very low-income senior citizens. In East Texas, some seniors are forced to make tough choices between paying their utilities, buying life-saving medications or purchasing food. The goal of the Senior Box Program is to provide a free box of nutritious food to approximately 240 seniors in Nacogdoches County each month. Participation in the Senior Box Program is limited. While this program is federally funded and operated with the supervision of ETFB, the amount of volunteer time needed to keep it running is immense. HOPE appreciates those loyal volunteers which makes this service available in this area.
Retail food pickup is one of the many ways HOPE works to reduce food waste and ensure the families we serve have access to fresh, healthy foods they need to thrive. This initiative saves time and resources by empowering agencies, like Nacogdoches HOPE, to pick up food donations directly from retailers near them. Nacogdoches HOPE’s participation in the Agency Retail Pickup program is subject to all regulations set by the program agreement and is limited and to available space and approval by the Agency Retail Pickup Coordinator. Nacogdoches HOPE is blessed to work with some wonderful retailers and their employee to make these items available to our clients and reduce the waste in our communities.
Thanks to all our Retail Food Partners: Nacogdoches Little Caesars; both (North St. and University) Nacogdoches’ Walmart, and Kroger stores; Lufkin’s HEB, Target, and Dollar General.
A second part of our mission is to provide nutritional information and promote interest in and concern for those who are hungry and malnourished. Jo’s Diner – A Kitchen of HOPE and the Resource Center was started with this dream. The diner is open on some Wednesdays (see calendar) and offers a free meal to the first 50 individuals who arrive. Recipes are shared and often various educational programs are provided. There is a wellness check area and also computer stations to help with printing applications for benefits and more. Appointments can be made for benefits assistance through the HOPE Resource Center or online at https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/programs/benefits-assistance/
The FINDHELP.org site has access to a wide variety of assistance programs based on local demographic but also provides information to larger national programs and more.
Help neighbors in need through your gifts of talent and time. Nacogdoches HOPE takes a wide variety of people working together to make the mission of reducing hunger a reality.
Fill out the volunteer form below and find your fit.
936-559-1801
Established in 1994, HOPE provides supplemental food to Nacogdoches County residents in need. Families and individuals can visit the pantry once a month to obtain food. HOPE serves senior citizens, children, persons with disabilities, veterans, persons living is situational poverty, and others.
Nacogdoches HOPE is now in a new building, which was made possible by a generous, one-time donation. HOPE is a client choice food pantry, which allows individuals to select the food most appropriate for their dietary needs and storage.
In partnership with the East Texas Food Bank, HOPE is enabled to acquire food for a fraction of the retail price. HOPE participates in food-rescue partnerships with local grocers to provide recipients with fresh and healthy food choice options.
Nacogdoches HOPE is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that is supported through donations from the community.
