Watt sacks groceries, not QBs, in Port Arthur
Published 7:03 pm Thursday, January 25, 2018
By Ken Stickney
Houston Texan J.J. Watt was sacking groceries, not quarterbacks in Port Arthur on Thursday.
The Wisconsin native and star defensive end visited Jireh World Church, a non-denominational congregation at 3505 Procter St., in an effort to feed the hungry affected by Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey last summer.
“Port Arthur, Texas today visiting and helping with the distribution of food and supplies that has been happening since the hurricane thanks to your incredibly generous donations,” Watt wrote on Twitter. “This truck is one of many new mobile food pantries we’ve been able to provide.”
In the background of his tweet were photos of a South East Texas Food Bank Truck and pictures of him with Pastor Pearlanna Carron, who has guided the church for 10 years.
Watt raised tens of millions of dollars last fall in an effort to aid Hurricane and Tropical Storm victims, many of them in Houston and environs but others here.
A Food Bank spokeswoman said Watt was given a choice of distribution sites to visit Thursday and made Port Arthur one of them.
Carron said he arrived around 2 p.m. and stayed for about 90 minutes, chatting with people who were picking up supplies, helping with the distribution and taking “selfies” with all those who requesting them.
The pastor herself was photographed with Watt, of whom she said she is a big fan.
The church was providing the first of two days of food and supplies distribution, which included 16 pallets of produce, a “truckload of bread” and some clothing and baby supplies. It will reopen its distribution from noon to 4 p.m. Friday.
Watt visited with his agent and a representative of Feeding America, a nationwide network of some 200 food banks that feeds more than 40 million Americans. South East Texas Food Bank distributes food to eight counties.
“This area was heavily impacted by Harvey,” Carron said. “Over 90 percent of the people were flood victims.”
Those who Watt visited said he was personable and took plenty of time to talk with people.
“He’s such a sweet guy,” the pastor said.