Jack Browne, Wichita Falls Times Record News, October 25, 2026
I haven’t won the lottery. At least not the one sold at convenience stores.
But lately I’ve been thinking that I already hit a different kind of jackpot.
Like many people, I occasionally pause to take inventory of my life — not the assets listed on a spreadsheet, but the things that really matter. Family. Grandchildren. Friends. Good health. Transportation. A roof over my head. Meaningful work. And enough time to appreciate those blessings.
When we stop long enough to reflect, many of us discover something important: we often have far more than we need.
That realization naturally leads to another question.
What do we do with our blessings? I’ve learned that gratitude grows when it is shared.
I was reminded of that while volunteering at a local food pantry.
Every distribution day begins before the doors open. Volunteers sort food, prepare shelves, greet clients, and help load vehicles. Our pantry serves dozens of families each day we are open. We are one of more than 90 community partners working with the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank to ensure food reaches those who need it most.
The experience is humbling.
It’s difficult to leave a pantry shift without a renewed appreciation for what we have. It is equally difficult to ignore the growing challenges faced by families throughout North Texas.
Numbers tell part of the story. More than 42,000 people — 1 in 5 — across the food bank’s service area experience food insecurity.
But the real story is personal.
It is the grandmother stretching a fixed income. The working parent balancing rising grocery bills. The senior citizen choosing between food and medication. The child wondering what will be available after school.
Sometimes the happiest face in the room belongs to the child receiving a donut, a piece of candy, or a popsicle. Moments like that remind us that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Recently, I learned that our pantry will face additional costs in the coming year. For years, generous donor support helped offset expenses across the food bank network. That support is changing just as inflation continues to increase costs.
Food, fuel, insurance, utilities, and transportation all cost more than they once did. For organizations serving rural communities across thousands of square miles, every mile traveled and every dollar spent matters.
The challenge extends far beyond food banks.
Nonprofits throughout our community face the same reality. Demand for services remains high while the cost of providing those services continues to climb.
That creates a difficult equation:
· More people need help.
· Help costs more to provide.
· Resources become stretched.
· Yet the work must continue.
That brings me back to the blessings many of us enjoy. Perhaps the greatest blessing is realizing we have something to share.
For some, that gift is time. A few volunteer hours each month can change lives.
For others, it is talent. Experience, mentoring, leadership, and professional skills can strengthen organizations that serve our communities.
And for many, it is treasure. Financial contributions, large or small, help nonprofits fulfill their missions.
Inflation is making life harder for nonprofits just as it is for families. As we count our blessings, let’s also remember the organizations and volunteers working every day to help others.
We may not all have the same amount of time, talent, or treasure, but most of us have something we can give. When we share our blessings, we become the answer to someone else’s prayer.
Call to Action: Inflation is placing growing pressure on nonprofits across our region. Consider supporting an organization that matters to you. Share your time. Share your talent. Share your treasure.
Our communities are strongest when we turn gratitude into service and blessings into action.
Peace be with you.
Jack Browne is a community activist and former technology executive who believes in the power of connection, service and lifelong learning.