East Texas Food Bank cancels Lufkin distribution event due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - People looking to get food at the George H. Henderson Expo Center were suddenly turned away after the East Texas Food Bank cancelled, saying they met unforeseen circumstances.

Crystal Cayton, who was in line at the center for two hours, said she couldn’t believe what was happening.

“While we were in line at the food bank, there was a long line already to get there, and they just all of a sudden said, ‘It’s all cancelled. Go.’ It was chaos trying to get out of the parking lot,” said Cayton.

Cayton was trying to get food for her uncle. She said the inconvenience will make Thanksgiving Day a bit different for both of them.

“It was very important. I mean, we have Thanksgiving Thursday, and he’s on a fixed income. He’s not able to do the Thanksgiving dinner that he likes to do every year, and then we’ve had to cut back on a lot of costs there because we didn’t get that extra food,” said Cayton.

The East Texas Food Bank said in a Facebook post that those who need food assistance can go to the Deep East Texas Resource Center at 105 Lofton Street.

Cayton said while it may not be the Thanksgiving her uncle hoped for, she’s glad he won’t go without a meal.

“Yes, in a way, I mean, at least we knew he was going to get something out of it. In the end, he got enough,” said Cayton.

After the cancellation at the expo center, Lufkin resident Lorenza Ochoa made her way to 105 Lofton Street.

She said she’s just glad the East Texas Food Bank was still able to bless those in need.

“I’m blessed that I got a chance to get some and taking some for my grandbabies and my daughters and for my family. Thank God there’s a place to come to,” said Ochoa.

In a statement, the East Texas Food Bank expressed sincere apologies.

The Deep East Texas Resource Center on 105 Lofton Street was open until six tonight and will re-open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for those who need food assistance. The food bank declined our request for more information on what took place this morning.

The produce distribution at the George H. Henderson Expo Center in Lufkin has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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