(l-r) Jimmy Burns, Friona ISD Superintendent; Rob Pomper, Texico Snack Pak Coordinator; Sheri Blakenship, Hereford ISD Superintendent; Denise Anderson, Bovina ISD Superintendent; Robbi Actkinson, Farwell Snack Pak Leader; Chuck Smith, Muleshoe Snack Pak Coordinator; Ashley Nichols, Farwell Snack Pak Leader; Jennifer Sullivan, Dimmitt Snack Pak Coordinator; Becky Stogner, Snack Pak 4 Kids Amarillo Operations Manager; Jo Beth Gipson, Friona Snack Pak Coordinator; and Scott Pohlman, Friona Cargill General Manager.
Donation will support efforts to alleviate weekend hunger for children in Hereford, Friona, Dimmitt, Bovina, Muleshoe, and Farwell
Snack Pak 4 Kids, a non-profit organization providing weekend meals for food insecure students in Amarillo and the surrounding areas, today announced a $70,000 gift from Cargill Friona, to serve the increased food needs for students during the COVID-19 crisis.
According to Scott Pohlman, GM Cargill Friona, "We are inspired by the work being done by Snack Pak 4 Kids to help end weekend hunger, and ensure the needs of children in our communities are met, particularly during this unprecedented time." Texas is home for more than 4,000 Cargill employees, with many residing in the Texas panhandle region. The funds will be used in the Texas communities of Hereford, Friona, Dimmitt, Bovina, Muleshoe, and Farwell and will help to offset the support generally raised at an annual fundraiser which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dyron Howell, Founder of Snack Pak 4 Kids said, "Cargill has been a long-time partner of Snack Pak 4 Kids and we are grateful for their continued and generous support. At this time of change and uncertainty, this donation takes a significant amount of pressure off of the communities benefitting from the Cargill donation, so they can focus on the needs of our kids and their communities.
The mission of Snack Pak 4 Kids is to end weekend hunger by providing children with brand new, brand-name food, so they are prepared to learn on Monday morning. Each Snack Pak offers kids more than 70 grams of protein, reduced sugar, and whole grain options - important for a healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet. The organization began nearly ten years ago, serving ten children at Will Rogers Elementary. It has grown in to a food-buying cooperative now serving more than 10,000 students in 51 school districts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has seen a more than 50% increase in the need for weekend food assistance.
To give to Snack Pak 4 Kids, visit sp4k.org/make-a-donation or mail a check to: Snack Pak 4 Kids, 701 Park Place Avenue, Amarillo TX 79101.
The Friona Vocational Agriculture Association has announced its annual scholarship recipients. Each graduate selected will receive a $500 scholarship. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, and participation in Friona High School's FCCLA or FFA programs and completions.
Applicants provided an application form and an essay regarding how FHS's vocational training programs have prepared them for the future. Recipients are required to be enrolled in the Fall semester at a college or university to receive the scholarship.
Those selected to receive this year's scholarships are: Mariah Rivera, FCCLA; Joseline Lopez, FCCLA; Marcos Juarez, FFA; Adaline White, FFA; and Maddie Sharrock, FFA.
The Friona Vocational Agriculture Association provides monetary support to the youth of Friona who exhibit a commitment and dedication to 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA activities. Through this support, and their fundraising efforts, the association encourages young people to pursue endeavors that will enable them to become the future leaders of the community, state, and country.
Back row (l-r) Mark Osborn, Greg Lewllen (treasurer), Richie Herring, Clint Hurst, Greg O'Brian (president), and Kody Kimbrough (secretary). Board members not in photo are Tracy Bunker and Aaron Abarca. Front row (l-r) Maddie Sharrock, Mariah Rivera, Adaline White, and Marcos Juarez. Not in photo is Joseline Lopez.
Parmer County Judge Trey Ellis announced this week that Section 6 of the Parmer County Disaster Declaration has been amended. This section had limited the size of gatherings to not more than 10 people with a "gathering" referring to scheduled events or common endeavors where 10 or more persons would be in a confined space, room, or area.
The amendment states that due to the reopening of the state by the governor, as of June 1, 2020, Section 6 of the Declaration has been withdrawn.
Judge Ellis and all city and county officials still highly encourage that everyone follow the COVID-19 prevention procedures. (1) wash your hands regularly, (2) stay at least 6 feet away from other people, (3) wear a face mask in public places, and (4) stay home and stay away from everyone if you have symptoms or have tested positive for the coronavirus.
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The Prairie Acres Resident of the Month for June is Billie Kirby. The Employee of the Month is Elizabeth Gonzalez. She works in the laundry department and has been with Prairie Acres since November of 2019. Congratulations to both!!! Also, Happy Birthday to Abelardo Gonzalez (June 2nd), Liliana Palacios (June 2nd), and Jennifer Martinez (June 3rd).
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Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has found our nursing home. Please pray for the residents, employees, and all family members in these very difficult times. Also, remember our healthcare and EMS personnel as they work on the front lines every day.
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The next full moon, known as the strawberry moon, will light up the sky this week. The moon will be full on Friday, June 5th, at 2:12 p.m. and will appear full for about 3 days from early Thursday morning into early Sunday morning. According to the Maine Farmer's Almanac, the June full moon was dubbed the strawberry moon by Algonquin tribes. The name comes from the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries in the northeastern United States. The strawberry moon, however, will not be a supermoon. The May full moon, known as the flower moon, was the last supermoon of 2020. In April, skywatchers enjoyed super pink moon, which was the largest supermoon of the year.
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I was reintroduced to my barber this past Tornado Tuesday. I had not seen Chuck since February before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recognized me from my police sketch and told me he would have to charge by the pound for the haircut. While getting my ears lowered, I had a good visit with him and Gerall Wyly about the 25th Anniversary of the Friona Tornado. Just so you know, Chuck now operates a barber shop and wellness center. I got a great haircut and lost five pounds. Who knew?
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On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, "we will accept nothing less than full victory." More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day's end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler's crack troops. It was the beginning of the end of World War II.
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SpaceX launched NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on their Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is the first time that astronauts have launched from American soil since the final Space Shuttle flight in 2011. The astronauts blasted off from Kennedy Space Center's historic launch pad 39A at 2:22 p.m. last Saturday. The launch pad was used for the Apollo and space shuttle programs. The launch was the first time a private company, rather than a national government, has sent astronauts into orbit.
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Steer Validation will be held on Tuesday, June 16th from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon at Dr. Kennedy's in Muleshoe. This is for all steers regardless of FFA or 4-H.
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Sunday is Cancer Survivors Day. Thank you to the Friona and Hereford Cancer Coalitions for their hard work providing support and grants for our local cancer patients. Best wishes to all cancer survivors!!!
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The Friona Community Blood Drive is Thursday, June 11th from Noon until 7:00 p.m. Please try to schedule an appointment by calling 806-331-8833, or visiting yourbloodinstitute.org. Coffee Memorial is bringing extra personnel for this drive. Walk-ins are still welcome.
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National Days
June 4 - Cheese Day
June 5 - Doughnut Day
June 6 - D-Day (1944)
June 7 - Cancer Survivors Day
June 8 - Best Friends Day
June 9 - Donald Duck Day
June 10 - Iced Tea Day
as of June 1, 2020
Texas Panhandle:
4,467 cases, 74 deaths
1,817 recoveries
Armstrong County: 3
Briscoe County: 1
Carson County: 6
Castro County: 33
Childress County: 2
Collingsworth County: 5
Cottle County: 4
Dallam County: 31
Deaf Smith County: 166
Donley County: 27
Gray County: 102
Hall County: 2
Hansford County: 19
Hartley County: 13
Hemphill County: 1
Hutchinson County: 37
Lipscomb: 2
Moore County: 686
Motley: 1
Ochiltree County: 52
Oldham County: 4
Parmer County: 63
Potter County: 2,432
Randall County: 711
Roberts County: 2
Sherman County: 29
Swisher County: 18
Wheeler County: 15
Eastern New Mexico:
105 cases, 1 death
Curry County:55
Quay County: 5
Roosevelt County: 41
Union: 4
Oklahoma Panhandle:
959 cases, 5 deaths, 867 recoveries
Beaver County: 24
Cimarron: 1
Texas County:934
Texas:
64,880 cases
1,678 deaths
44,517 recoveries
United States:
1,870,000 cases
108,000 deaths
421,000 recoveries
Worldwide:
6,190,000 cases 376,000 deaths
Health Protocols for Voters and Elections (English)
County Disaster Declaration (English)
March 16 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
March 31 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
Letter from City Manager (English) (Spanish)
Friona Community Helpline (English)
2-1-1 Texas Social Services Hotline (English)
Share The Facts about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish)
What You Need To Know (English) (Spanish)
What To Do If You Are Sick (English) (Spanish)
County Clerk PSA (English)
Chamber of Commerce Letter to Businesses (English)
FISD Emergency Resolution (English)
