BEAUMONT, Texas — High prices are hitting everyone, which means donations are down for the Southeast Texas Food Bank.
The non-profit organization is faced with the challenges of rising costs and a decreased food supply.
The food bank also has a new man in charge. A self-proclaimed foodie, Harvey Zernial was driven by a heart for service to return to the work field.
"I was only retired for a year and then my wife told me to get out and find something to do," Zernial said.
Zernial said he ended up back in the field after retiring from four decades of service in the retail grocery industry.
"It was always a conversation to be able to possibly have the opportunity to come work here," Zernial said.
Being a member of the board for the Southeast Texas Food Bank and being no stranger to the food business, joining the food bank staff was a perfect fit. Now, Zernial is the new CEO.
"My background and my whole life have led me to come work at the food bank," Zernial said.
As the new CEO, Zernial is looking forward to identifying ways to continue the foodbank's growth.
"We have a good project going up in Jasper to expand our warehouse," Zernial said.
He said a lot of the growth potential is within their staff, training them to think more creatively in the face of new challenges.
"The main thing is to grow skill sets to think and work on programs and thought processes that are beyond food to identify root cause," Zernial said.
The food bank has not been immune to the hardships posed by inflation with the nonprofit having to purchase more food than in past years due to decreased donations from federal programs.
Despite taking the reigns at a difficult time, Zernial said he still has hope.
"The challenges are there, but we're up for it," Zernial said.
He said that between COVID-19 and inflation, some of the support has waned recently. The best ways to help out the food bank are to volunteer or to donate financially.
"We need more food, to get more food, we have to buy it, to buy it means more money," Zernial said.