Family Crisis Center of East Texas hosting food drive for emergency shelter residents

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – The Family Crisis Center of East Texas is hosting a food drive to help feed the individuals and families who stay in their emergency shelter.

Shelter Manager Greg Sims emphasized the importance of the food drive, noting that donations significantly supplement their weekly grocery shopping. The shelter is a 39-bed facility that can house up to 44 people, and provides a secure environment for families in crisis.

“Everybody here has been through some sort of trauma,” said Sims. “And then you move them into a dorm-like environment where you’re surrounded by other people they don’t know. Sometimes those little things, the home cooked meals, the snacks whenever they want them, those type of things where it makes it feel a little more comfortable.”

Sims explained that the stability offered by the shelter does a lot to support people as they attempt to move forward with their lives.

“So it just kind of helps them forget a little bit about all the background noise,” said Sims. “And focus more on becoming an independent person without this drama and the trauma in their lives.”

The food drive is collecting shelf-stable items such as pasta, cereal, tuna fish, crackers and canned vegetables. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 5 at the Family Crisis Center offices in Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Crockett and San Augustine.