The Black Cultural Council of Odessa, teaming up with the West Texas Food Bank, is helping battle hunger in Odessa.
As part of the food bank’s Summer Food Service Program, the Black Cultural Council of Odessa’s office,1020 E. Murphy St., receives and serves school-aged children a free meal during the summer months.
Children 18 years and younger can have a free meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the BCCO office, while other locations offer their meals at different times and dates. The Black Cultural Council of Odessa office is one of 15 participating locations in Odessa, Midland and Lamesa.
Black Cultural Council of Odessa Board Member Joann Davenport Littleton said this is the second year the nonprofit has teamed up with the food bank and targets children who do not have access to a meal.
“We’re trying to target the kids … in need of a meal,” Littleton said, adding they have been feeding about 30 children daily.
More than 1,000 meals are prepared daily by the West Texas Food Bank and contain fruit, vegetable, dairy, grain and protein. Registration is not required for the program.
“We try to keep (the number of meals prepared) close to the number of meals that we’ve been serving because numbers fluctuate, but we want to make sure we get a meal to every child,” External Programs Manager and dietitian for the West Texas Food Bank Kayla Castleberry said.
Founded in 1985, the food bank serves 19 counties in West Texas and works to provide meals to those in need, no questions asked.
Castleberry said that volunteers and donations are always needed.
“You can sign up to volunteer online on our website,” she said. “Volunteering is a great way to get involved with the food bank.”
ON THE NET:
>> West Texas Food Bank: wtxfoodbank.org
>> List of Odessa Summer Food Service Program sites can be found at https://tinyurl.com/5f3b7jme
