During a recent government meeting in Winnsboro, community members gathered to honor the late Scottie Sewell, a dedicated member of the local police department who passed away unexpectedly on October 3rd. The city expressed its condolences and recognized Sewell's years of service, highlighting his positive impact on the community and the personal connections he fostered. Arrangements for his memorial service were shared, inviting those who knew him to pay their respects.

In a separate segment of the meeting, Damon Helman, the new executive director of the Winnsboro Community Resource Center, provided an update on the pantry's operations. Since taking over in November, Helman reported a significant increase in demand for food assistance, with the pantry now serving approximately 378 families per month, up from 289 families earlier in the year. This surge has led to a projected total of 12,000 individuals served by the end of 2023, prompting an increase in the pantry's budget to meet the growing needs of the community.

Helman emphasized the critical role of food assistance in Northeast Texas, noting the pantry's recent move to a larger facility to accommodate the rising number of clients. The meeting underscored the importance of community support and the ongoing efforts to address food insecurity in the area.