Good Sam planning 2nd distribution event

The Rusk Cares-Good Samaritan organization is holding a second Emergency Food Distribution (EFD) event, 9-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 27 at the Good Samaritan location, 190 W. Second St., Rusk.

“Any person or family in need of food is invited to participate in the EFD drive-through events to receive supplemental food,” Rusk Cares-Good Samaritan Board President Mona Burford said. “This is a non-qualifying food program open to any person or family that has a need. Anyone is eligible.”

The Texas Army National Guard is again slated to help load boxes. Participants are urged to line up along Sycamore Avenue and remain in their vehicles.

Traffic control will be provided by the city of Rusk and Good Samaritan volunteers.

The first distribution was held May 13.

“It was great,” Burford said. “All 210 boxes of food the Guardsmen brought were distributed, plus an additional five more from the Pantry -- 215 for the morning.”

Good Samaritan will continue distributing food boxes to its clients on Wednesdays, beginning in June.
“We will continue the drive-through distribution method, every Wednesday, 9-11 a.m., operating from the warehouse,” Burford said. “Plans are to open the retail shop again on June 1. In the interim our volunteers are busy moving the pantry items to the warehouse so the business operations will be separated.

“If you need to sign up for pantry food as a new client that will be done at the same time.

Good Sam board members and other supporters had been in the process of starting a building fund drive earlier this year, to build a new facility. The organizaiton is looking to raise $150,000, but fund raising efforts have been postponed amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) issues.

Anyone who’d like to donate to the Good Samaritan’s Building Fund can mail those to the Good Samaritan, PO Box 632, Rusk, TX 75785; or make them in person at the facility in Rusk on any Wednesday this month.