Judge Travis Ransom spoke to the Cass County Historical Commission and introduced Misty Goldman, in the photo below, who is Ransom’s history intern from college. Photo by Raydeen Edwards
St. Paul CME Church celebrated a Homecoming and Fall revival from Sept. 15 – Sept. 18. Pastor A.C. Williams was the guest speaker on Sunday. Photo Raydeen Edwards
Henry McCant, Christian Pantry in Cass County, receive a 2024 Lifetime Achievement Hunger Hero Award from East Texas Food Bank Chief Development Officer Tim Butler.
East Texas Food Bank recognizes Hunger Hero Award recipients
Tyler, TX-The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) honored two recipients today with a Hunger Hero Award as part of Hunger Action Month.
Community Partner The Ground Floor Collective received the Community Partner Hunger Hero Award. The group unites and empowers communities by providing resources to East Texans.
“Our partnership with the Ground Floor Collective has been incredible since we opened our Texarkana Resource Center in May,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank.
“From finding volunteer support to providing wrap-around services to our neighbors, they have been part of our success in Texarkana.”
“This recognition reflects not only our commitment to addressing food insecurity but also the incredible collaboration within our community,” said Kristina Rivas-Jones, Co-founder and Executive Director of Ground Floor Collective. “Together, we are restoring lives by providing essential resources and support to our neighbors in need. It is a privilege to work alongside dedicated partners and advocates, who share the vision of a healthier, more empowered Texarkana. Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting our efforts to create lasting change.'
Lifetime Achievement Award Henry McCant with the Christian Pantry in Cass County received the Hunger Hero Lifetime Achievement Award.
McCant started Christian Pantry in the early 2000s after seeing a need to feed people in Cass County. While some in his community suggested a cookout, he wanted to do more than just offer a onetime feeding of people. He became a partner of the ETFB in 2014.
“McCant makes the drive weekly to Tyler to our warehouse at ETFB to pick-up pantry staples and produce,” said Emerson. “He cares deeply about the people he serves and we believe he is so deserving of this honor and recognition.”
McCant is also a Vietnam War veteran and proudly served his country from 1958 to 1979, achieving the rank of First Sergeant.
ETFB presented the awards during Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, held each year in September, to inspire the community to take action and bring attention to hunger in East Texas and the nation.
According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, 1 in 6 East Texans including 1 in 4 children are hungry. This amounts to 217,260 adults including 78,620 children.
About the East Texas Food Bank Established in 1988, the East Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger- relief nonprofit in East Texas covering 26 counties. ETFB provides over 31 million meals each year to 200 partner agencies and feeding programs. Our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in East Texas. For more information, visit EastTexasFoodBank. org