LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – “Grocery costs are rising, especially for families, and that’s why we’re trying to help as best we can.”

Vanessa Morelion is the Director of Community Impact at the South Plains Food Bank. The food bank is located in East Lubbock, an area considered a food desert.

According to the USDA, a food desert is an area with limited access to grocery stores. Since East Lubbock has only one grocery store, resources are hard to come by. That’s why Morelion says the South Plains Food Bank is making a special effort to help these residents.

“We want to make sure we help all of Lubbock, but especially where we are. This is our home here in East Lubbock,” Morelion said.

The food bank also offers food parcels and works with several organizations to ensure that children have everything they need to be productive.

“For the kids going back to school, we partner with local Boys & Girls Clubs and provide them with a hot meal after school,” Morelion said. “I know LISD offers free breakfast and free lunch, so we can get their meal plans finalized for different sites so they have a hot meal before they get home.”

The food bank also offers a youth leadership program at the nearby farm, which grows fresh fruits and vegetables to help the children feed their families.

“Focusing more on this is a big thing for us because on Saturdays during the school year we bring children to school who learn how to use fruits and vegetables to prepare meals for their families,” Morelion said. “Then when they can go home and plant a small garden or buy fresh fruits and vegetables, they know how to take care of their younger siblings, their parents and grandparents.”

SPFB also offers a mobile food distribution to help families in need.

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