Luther Pecan Festival Announces Food Drive

First, a little backstory. As I was scrolling Instagram the other day looking to share posts from vendors coming to the Luther Pecan Festival, I stopped when I saw the To Go Box’s post. They were a big hit at last year’s festival. Seems like I saw everyone carrying around what looked like a cone filled with pasta, meat, and sauce. They’re coming back this year, and bringing TWO MORE trucks – a hibachi concept and burgers at the orchard. They’ll join a full roster of amazing food trucks downtown and at the orchard offering classic food, concession food, barbecue, pizza, and more. Some even have special menu items featuring pecans to get into the theme!

But back to the To Go Box post. Here it is: 

The To Go Box family and a group of small business and content creators are partnering up to help out our community- if you or anyone you know is being affected by snap benefits being stopped due to the government shutdown, send us a message and we will donate food for you and up to a family of 3 members. If you or someone you know could use a little help, please reach out! We love sharing our blessings with our amazing community.

A lightbulb moment

Like many others stepping in to fill the gap, I was inspired by someone doing something rather than wringing their hands and finger-pointing. Then I had an idea, wondering whether the pecan festival could serve as a food drive location on Nov. 8 – 9. So I called Chris Hill, minister at the Luther Church of Christ, and a longtime driving force for the Luther Community Service Center. We seem to always catch up when there is a disaster in the area, including the devastating fires from last March. He always answers. Always helps. Always has resources. 

This time, the Luther Community Service Center could use some help. I was surprised and not surprised when Chris said the pantry shelves are low at the center, which provides groceries to about 100 area families each month, with more and more families in need as the holidays approach.

We’re asking everyone who comes to the pecan festival to bring some non-perishable food. I’d put some cans of chili or soup, bags of beans and rice, or boxed mac and cheese or crackers into my shopping bag to carry in. Then drop them in a provided bin located at the shuttle stops and elsewhere before enjoying all the festival has to offer. 

Luther Pecan Festival Food Drive

We’re asking everyone who comes to the pecan festival to bring some non-perishable food. I’d put some cans of chili, chicken, bags of beans and rice, or boxed mac and cheese or crackers into my shopping bag to carry in. Then drop them in a provided bin located at the shuttle stops and elsewhere before enjoying all the festival has to offer.  Some of us might even want to buy some extra specialty foods from our vendors—like pecans, seasonings, sweets, or other items to donate.

It’s a gesture that could have a big impact, especially if all of you please come!  Already, the vendors have given the idea an enthusiastic two thumbs up. I knew they would. Our vendors and food trucks are talented and generous. Did you know that most of our food truck owners sign up for Feed A First Responder to provide meals to those in uniform (some volunteers) who work the long hours of the festival to keep all of us safe?

We are a generous community that helps each other. That helps us have a fantastic festival and shows that Luther is a great small town. Please bring a can or two of food to donate at the Luther Pecan Festival, and do it again in your own community if you’re visiting us.

If you want to drop off food that needs refrigeration or freezing, stop by the Luther Community Services Center during the week. It’s located at 205 E First, next to the Luther Fire Department. You can also give online.

Thanks, dawn