Neighbors helping neighbors

Jacksboro Community Food Pantry is holding a gift card drive to assist those in need as the future of supplemental food benefits remains in question.

Although the federal government shutdown continued, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits would be distributed in November. But recipients could expect their normal disbursement to be cut by half or more, and it was unclear when those benefits would arrive.

Aware of the community’s growing need for food assistance, the food pantry is collecting $25 gift cards to Lowe’s Market, Dollar General and Family Dollar to help people purchase items the pantry doesn’t supply, like milk, eggs and bread.

“With everything going on we don’t know when SNAP benefits will be distributed—when or how much. So we’re just trying to help fill the gap a little bit,” Jacksboro Community Food Bank organizer Michele Martin said. 

Gift cards can be purchased through Wednesday, Dec. 10. Monetary donations will also be accepted, and the pantry will use those funds to purchase additional gift cards.

Donations can be dropped off at the Live Oak Baptist Church office, the First Baptist Church office, with Jana at Prosperity Bank in Jacksboro, with Michele at Oakridge Oil and Gas in Jacksboro (next to Woodshed Works) or mailed to P.O. Box 574, Jacksboro, TX 76458.

Martin said a little bit of kindness can go a long way, and gift cards will help neighbors feed their families.
Gift cards will be given out during the food pantry’s monthly disbursement Monday, Dec. 15.

For questions or more information contact Michele Martin at 940-507-1843 or message the Jacksboro Community Food Pantry Facebook page.