The High Plains Food Bank received a truckload donation of butter and cheese Wednesday morning, June 4 from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a gift leaders say arrives at a critical time as the organization faces record levels of food insecurity across the Texas Panhandle.
The donation included 780 pounds of butter and 280 pounds of cheese, delivered on 24 pallets — evenly split between the two products. Each item was packaged for easy distribution to families, and the shipment was stored immediately in the food bank’s refrigerated warehouse to ensure freshness.
“We rarely receive enough dairy to meet the demand,” said Zack Wilson, executive director of the High Plains Food Bank. “These are two of our most requested items. Butter and cheese are high-value proteins that people need, and this donation will go a long way — even though we expect it to be out the door within a week.”
The church has been a longtime partner of food banks across the country and has supported the High Plains Food Bank for more than a decade. In addition to food donations, the church has sent supplies for disaster relief and provided hay earlier this year to Panhandle ranchers impacted by wildfires. Volunteer communication specialist Trudy Hansen for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said local representatives ask what the food bank needs most and coordinate with regional providers to fulfill those requests.
“Our welfare program focuses on meeting people where they are,” Hansen said. “In this case, butter and cheese were identified as critically needed, and we were glad to help.”
The donation supports the food bank’s ongoing “Fill the Gap” campaign, launched in late April in response to a significant reduction in federal food assistance. Wilson said the organization was set to receive 13 truckloads of food through the USDA’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), but those shipments were canceled due to funding cuts. The food bank quickly pivoted to fill the deficit through private donations and community support.
The campaign set a goal of raising $250,000, and has already brought in more than $200,000 — allowing the food bank to begin placing orders and restocking its shelves. Still, Wilson said the demand far exceeds normal levels, with the food bank now serving nearly 14,000 households per month — triple what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wilson added that much of the rising need is being driven by inflation, which continues to push prices for groceries, utilities, fuel, and insurance beyond what many low-income families can afford.
“We hear it every day,” Wilson said. “Families come in and tell us that prices are just too high — the cost of food doesn’t align with what they bring home. Many are working but still can’t keep up.”
The organization distributes food across 29 counties, relying on a network of more than 140 partner agencies, including churches, shelters, and local pantries. Each partner logs into an online system to order food based on current inventory. Perishable items, like butter and cheese, are kept in cold storage and typically distributed within 48 to 72 hours to ensure food safety.
“Our trucks are constantly moving — picking up donations, delivering food, and helping our neighbors put meals on the table,” Wilson said. “When you see empty shelves, it’s not because nothing is happening. It’s because the food moves quickly.”
In addition to monetary donations, the food bank is seeking volunteers to help sort incoming shipments, check expiration dates, and package food for delivery. Wilson said several volunteer groups have committed to recurring shifts through the summer and beyond, but more help is needed.
Tina Brohlin, the food bank’s director of development, said the community has responded generously — with both large and small donors stepping up to close the gap.
“Every dollar counts,” Brohlin said. “For every $1 donated, we can provide about nine meals. We’ve had people give monthly gifts, organize food drives, and come in to volunteer. It all adds up.”
As summer begins, Wilson said the need is especially urgent with children out of school and no longer receiving free or reduced lunches.
“We’ve launched our summer feeding program and are doing everything we can,” Wilson said. “But we’re still seeing the highest need we’ve ever recorded in our history. This isn’t going away anytime soon.”
For information on donating, volunteering, or getting involved, visit hpfb.org.
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