Here in West Texas, we pride ourselves on being the fiber, fuel and food capital that powers our nation. From the cotton fields to the cattle ranches, agriculture isn’t just an industry here–it’s our unifying heritage.
But even in a place that produces so much, too many of our neighbors are quietly going without enough food. That’s an inequity we can’t ignore.
Through working alongside the South Plains Food Bank and serving in our community with The Difference Maker’s Fellowship, I’ve come to see hunger not as a distant issue, but as something that lives right here among us.
From our rural communities where senior citizens are aging without nearby family or access to basic services to college campuses where students are working toward a better future while wondering where their next meal will come from. It’s closer than we think and more common than many are comfortable admitting.
And hunger doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care what you believe, where you come from, or how hard you work.
We saw this clearly during COVID, when access to food was disrupted almost overnight. Empty grocery shelves reminded us how fragile our own resources can be and how quickly anyone can find themselves in need. In those moments, community mattered more than ever.
It’s important to understand that hunger is not a lifelong condition.
For many families, it’s a season. One unexpected bill, one job loss, or one crisis and suddenly the pantry is empty. With the right support at the right time, that season will pass.The answer, I believe, lies in partnership. Biblically, there has always been a call to start in the garden. Adam and Eve formed a partnership and together they produced fruit in the Garden of Eden.
When we are good stewards of our gardens, we can feed people exponentially.
That spirit of partnership is already making a difference.
Across Texas, the 20 food banks in the Feeding Texas network distribute more than 700 million pounds of food annually—71% of which includes fresh produce, protein and dairy. This is not just meals; it’s nourishment, dignity and hope placed directly into the hands of families who need it most, including right here in West Texas.
That is why programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which helps families buy groceries, and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) that connects American farmers and ranchers to food banks, are essential.
They not only support the people who grow our food, but also help ensure that it reaches tables efficiently. The USDA’s commitment to purchasing from U.S. producers through the TEFAP program to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country is an example of the type of partnership that can make a real impact.
But no program, no institution and no organization can solve hunger alone. In Texas, we’ve always believed in neighbors helping neighbors. Feeding people when they are hungry isn’t just about food—it’s about dignity, trust, and connection. That’s why churches and community groups play such a vital role. We meet people where they are, without judgment, and with humility. Sometimes we don’t reach people through a sermon. We reach them with a hot meal and a conversation.
Food is the great connector. When we gather around a table, we’re sharing more than a meal—we’re sharing life.
When people aren’t nourished, the consequences ripple outward. Kids struggle to learn. Health declines and healthcare costs go up. Communities weaken. If we’re not feeding our neighbors, we’re not a thriving community. But the good news is every one of us can be part of the solution.
Start simple. Check on your neighbor. If you have something to give, give it. Not just your prayers, but your time, your resources, and your voice. Volunteer. Support local food organizations. Advocate for solutions that strengthen our food systems and our communities. A closed mouth doesn’t get fed. We can all use our voices to make a difference here.
As scripture reminds us, “a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” There is enough to go around. We just have to choose to share it.
In West Texas, we know how to grow food. Now let’s make sure our neighbors are fed.
W.A. Bill Stubblefield is the pastor at The Difference Maker’s Fellowship
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Pastor Stubblefield makes a West Texas call to feed our neighbors
Reporting by By Pastor Bill Stubblefield, special for the Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
