Clouds of red topsoil blew across Texas Hwy 70 the day Michelle Oats and I went to visit Christian Outreach Ministries pantry in Crowell.
Michelle, Wichita Falls Area Food Bank’s administrative director, was there for the annual site visit – a chance to check in with Food Bank agencies. I rode along to see the faces of rural hunger.
With the support of First Baptist and First Methodist church in Crowell and community donations, Christian Outreach has been helping families, seniors, veterans and the disabled in Foard County for seven years.
The pantry building was once a Masonic lodge. Rooms are small but 8 to 10 volunteers stock the shelves, sign clients in, help them bag food and if needed step in to carry it to their car.
“More families, some individuals and seniors have been coming lately,” explained Kathy Sampson, pantry director. “Sixty is our average but now it’s 70.”
Too often people think hunger is something that only affects cities. That those who live in farming and ranching areas can provide their own food.
In the 708 square miles of Foard County there are only 1,820 people. Studies in 2016 show more than 180 of them are food insecure – they are struggling to avoid hunger. Among these are 50 children.
The irony is they live in a part of Texas that produces crops and livestock that feed the world and provide affordable food for Americans.
According to 2016 U.S. census, he median income for a Foard County household is $36,056; median income for households across Texas is $56,563.
”One of the greatest challenges is simply gainful employment. There just aren't that many good job opportunities for able bodied folks here,” Chris McClain, pastor of First Baptist Church shared by email. “But when I think specifically of our food pantry clients, there are also many who are elderly and on a fixed income. They live without much margin to cover unexpected expenses and the services available in our rural area are often fairly slim.”
The day I visited among the clients was a young couple that moved to Crowell a year ago. A friend told them about Christian Outreach pantry. They appreciated being able to get food they couldn’t afford and called it “a real blessing.” The wife shed a tear.
Pantry volunteer Wanda Nichols pointed out, “support from everyone,” whether it’s an individual or the local grocery store makes a difference.
“We needed rice and asked the grocery store if they could donate some. We got it,” said Nichols. “We’re grateful for everything.”
Christian Outreach Ministries Pantry at 609 East Commerce in Crowell is open from 3:30-5:30 p.m. the second and third Thursday of each month. On the second Thursday, the WFAFB Produce Express truck distributes free fruit and vegetables.
Judith McGinnis is the marketing and development director of the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank.