The West Texas Food Bank has a new addition you might see on our West Texas roads. It's going to help them reach hundreds of thousands of people in need.
With a $150,000 donation from BHP Billiton, the West Texas Food Bank was able to purchase a new refrigerated 18 wheeler. The truck will travel to 90 counties and transport more than 1 million pounds of produce a year.
"All across the state of Texas, all the food banks are really looking at doing a produce initiative throughout the state. We know that there is enough produce in the south part of Texas that is actually going to waste. That can actually help shorten all of the lines at all of our food banks across the state. For us, the problem we have here in west Texas is just getting it here," said Libby Campbell, Executive Director for the West Texas Food Bank.
But with The Big Orange Truck, that's not an obstacle anymore and that's all thanks to BHP Billiton's donation.
"Such a fantastic opportunity to make a long term impact in the local communities. We jumped on the chance when we had the opportunity," said Bob Manelis with BHP Billiton.
"They're always more than willing to jump up and say 'well alright let's do something about it. Let's make an impact that is truly sustainable in the community in which our people live an work and lets make it a better place.' It's pretty amazing to have a corporate citizen like that in our backyard," said Campbell.
The Big Orange Truck isn't just helping out the West Texas Food Bank.
"We're actually going to do a collaborative relationship with four other food banks here in West Texas," said Campbell.
With only one delivery a month, the truck will help feed 200,000 people a year, but the West Texas Food Bank has much bigger plans.
"We're hoping to do two to three deliveries a month," said Campbell.
