TEMPLE, Texas — The Central Texas Food Bank and The Love of Christ Food Pantry will give out free groceries to families in Temple Thursday morning.
The number of people in need of food is only going up as more and more people find themselves out of work.
Derrick Chubbs, the President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank said they are trying to keep up and they expect to serve 1,500 families in Temple at their food distribution event.
"It's more important now than ever before to provide as much support as we possibly can," Chubbs said.
The Central Texas Food Bank serves about 50,000 Central Texans in 21 counties, including Bell and McLennan, every week. Now, they have less donations and more need, which leaves them having to purchase more food.
"Late May, early June we could be looking at scenarios where we're all, food banks, and retail grocers, are trying to source food from the same places," Chubbs said.
For now, they are still doing mobile pantries and they've added larger ones based on the current need.
"These are trying times for all of us and we are here, we've been deemed an essential service and so we're going to be here," Chubbs said.
The Central Texas Food Bank mass food distribution will take place Thursday morning at the Temple American Legion, 1300 S. 25th Street in Temple from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Love of Christ Food Pantry will also give away free groceries Thursday morning. They are entirely run by volunteers and they are one of Central Texas Food Bank's partner agencies providing food to Temple families on a weekly basis.
Kelly Thomas a volunteer said they are seeing an increase in the need for food from the community.
"We are totally operated by donations and so without places like the food bank and other businesses and churches donating to us, we can't help people," Thomas said.
However, Thomas said they strongly believe in the generosity of the community and the support they receive to continue to serve.
"We always have plenty of food and even during this season which is very uncertain we've still had plenty of food to offer every single person that comes to us," Thomas said.
The Central Texas Food Pantry and Love of Christ Food Pantry will both give out free groceries beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday.
To find a location nearest you and their business hours go to the Central Texas Food Bank website.
If you are interested in donating to your local pantry, click here.
If you are interested in donating or in volunteer opportunities at the Love of Christ Food Pantry, click here.