Eagle Editorial Board
Last year, the 40 or so agencies affiliated with the Brazos Valley Food Bank fed more than 55,000 different people in the Bryan-College Station area, including more than 20,000 children and 12,000 senior citizens. That's a lot of people needing a bit of help to get by.
While the economy locally is in pretty good shape -- at least compared with the rest of America -- demand for food from the food bank has climbed some 18 percent this year, according to Theresa Mangapora, the food bank's executive director. Many of those receiving food have never had to ask for help before. At the same time, because of the economy, the number of donations has declined this year.
The food bank depends on the generous people of this community for much of its support and Wednesday's annual Feast of Caring is a great way to enjoy a simple meal, visit with people and benefit the Brazos Valley Food Bank, all at the same time.
Everyone is invited to feast at the Brazos Center between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The menu will include rice and beans, sausage, salad, bread and dessert -- including Blue Bell ice cream. Meals will be available for take-out. As in years past, the "feast" will be prepared by Danny Morrison and his fine staff at Epicures.
The meal is free, but diners are encouraged to make a generous donation to the food bank -- at least what they would spend eating lunch in one of the community's many fine restaurants.
The beans and rice at the center of the meal are appropriate, for that is a "feast" for many low-income residents of the Brazos Valley.
Area "celebrities" -- including U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, Bryan Mayor Marc Conlee, State Rep. Fred Brown and Meredith Stancik of KBTX-TV -- will be on hand to serve the meal and to give refills on iced tea and water. Channel 3 will broadcast its noon show live from the event.
The Feast of Caring is a way to connect to friends and neighbors from throughout the community, some you might not see again until next year's Feast of Caring. The atmosphere is relaxed and everyone has a good time. Why not join them?
The money raised will help the Brazos Valley Food Bank achieve its goal of eliminating hunger in the Brazos Valley. The food bank can turn every dollar donated into six pounds of food.
Sponsors for this year's Feast of Caring are Sam's Club, H-E-B and Commerce National Bank. In-kind donors are Slo-vacek's Sausage, Scarmardo Foodservice, Bryan Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Albert-sons, Blue Bell Creamery and Mid-South Synergy.
Giving generously at the Feast of Caring is the right thing to do and the right way to do it.
We'll see you at the Brazos Center for the Feast of Caring on Wednesday.
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