In the News ... "Sul Ross State pantry partners with West Texas Food Bank"

OA Photo by Eli Hartman

• “We realize that college students can be on strained budgets while trying to work on their education."

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ALPINE, TEXAS - Sul Ross State University has partnered with West Texas Food Bank to combat food insecurity for college students, a press release detailed.

West Texas Food Bank is the largest non-profit, non-governmental hunger relief organization in the Permian Basin, and collects, purchases and distributes food for individuals in West Texas who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity. The Lobo Pantry is an on-campus food pantry for SRSU students, who are currently eligible to visit the pantry once a month. Founded in the summer of 2020 through COVID-19 grant funding, it continues to be funded by grants and donations.

Food insecurity can have a spiral effect on students and can cause them to make difficult, unhealthy decisions, and increase their risk of withdrawing from school, according to Katy Williams, director of Civic Engagement and Student Assistance.

“The West Texas Food Bank is excited about the emerging partnership with Sul Ross,” West Texas Food Bank CEO Libby Campbell stated in the press release. “We realize that college students can be on strained budgets while trying to work on their education. We are hoping this new partnership will help relieve that pressure so the students can truly focus on their degree paths moving forward.”

The Lobo Pantry, located in Ferguson Hall, is open Monday through Friday by appointment and will begin weekly distribution days on Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. starting Sept. 1 ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "Texas snowstorm: Warming centers open in El Paso, Hudspeth and Brewster Counties"

 • COVID-19 health guidelines will be observed

By Daniel Borunda, Reporter
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS -Warming centers have opened in El Paso, Sierra Blanca and Alpine as a snowstorm impacts the region. ...

• Read the rest of this EPT report ...

In the News ... "Abilene, Big Country food bank facing greater need during coronavirus crisis"

ARN Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich

• Doing more with less

By Nathaniel Ellsworth, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Now almost a month since the first coronavirus case was announced in Abilene, closures, layoffs and furloughs are forcing many Big Country residents to turn to charitable organizations to keep food on the table.

Compounding the nonprofits' task of serving this greater need is keeping their own people secure, which has prompted a handful of food pantries to close, said Ronnie Kidd, president/CEO of the Food Bank of West Central Texas ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "Texas National Guard releases full list of drive-through testing sites in West Texas"

• Registration opens 48 hours prior to start of testing in each county; appointments required

By Kirsten Geddes, Reporter
• KWES-TV

WEST TEXAS - The Texas National Guard will be conducting drive-though testing across the state at the end of April to the beginning of May. The testing will allow Texas residents to be tested quickly and efficiently across the state ...

• Read the rest of this KWES report ... 

In the News ... "Abilene churches dodge tornado's path; Pioneer Drive becomes relief hub"

ARN Photo by Greg Jaklewicz

• Helping is what Abilene does

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, unscathed by the tornado that danced by it May 18, turned itself into a relief mission as a way to help neighbors who weren’t so fortunate.

Not long after the tornado passed through Abilene, enough volunteers and people in need showed up at the church to fill the large parking lot on the west side of Pioneer Drive at South Seventh Street ...

• Read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... Sul Ross State University offering dinner to federal government employees

Photo by Paul Slocumb

• Meal is co-sponsored by Aramark

Staff Report
• KOSA-TV

ALPINE, TEXAS - Sul Ross State University is looking to help federal government employees who are being affected by the shutdown.

A complimentary dinner will be offered to those employees and their families on Tuesday, January 29 from 5-8 p.m. at the Morgan University Dining Center Hall on the university's main campus ...

• read the rest of this KOSA report