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HELP KEEP TEXAS FOOD BANKS STRONG

Over the past year, while our businesses thrived, food insecurity among Texans increased drastically and Food Banks Struggled to keep up.

It's our time to give back

San Antonio Food Bank Faced Record Demand During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Those of us living in San Antonio, we know the horrific impact COVID-19 has had on our community!

We could not have imagined the spike in joblessness and the doubling of food insecurity.
We could not have imagined the change of lifestyle we would face nor the fear that would pervade so much of our life.
And, we could not have imagined the devastating loss of so many family and friends. The pandemic ravaged our community, particularly those in the lowest strata of income.

Minnie’s Story

By Julian P. Ledezma

"I noticed a woman in an electric wheelchair. She was dangerously close to the other cars, trying to merge into the lines of neighbors waiting for their food. After introducing myself, Minnie admitted, “I’m hungry, and I just want some food.”

Something magical happened when volunteers, boxes in hand, came from their line and brought Minnie the food she was desperately waiting for. There were thanks given, and – as soon as she could – Minnie tried opening up a package of cheese. She was weak and visibly shaking, so I helped her. She took a handful and ate.

Since she was in her wheelchair, I pulled out my phone and started looking for a rideshare that could get her back to her home. “My apartment is only 4 blocks away,” Minnie said, thinking she could make it back with whatever food she had.

I filled up my car, and – since we couldn’t fit her wheelchair in my car – I followed her to her home, with her food in my trunk.

When we got to her apartment, we unloaded all of her food. Minnie was ecstatic. It was like she had won the lottery. She organized her pantry and refrigerator. “I sometimes have to make a can of corn last me 2 days,” Ms. Mendez explained. “But at least I have that; some people don’t even have that.”

When she was done organizing her food, we sat down, and I let her know someone from the Food Bank would be calling to enroll her in critical benefits. They signed her up for the Senior Home Delivery Program.*

Minnie was in tears. With the program, she wouldn’t have to drive her wheelchair into a distribution line ever again. She would get the nourishment she needed right where she was."

*Senior Home Delivery Program delivers boxes of groceries along with fresh, healthy produce twice a month.

NO ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

With school closures, job disruptions, and health risks, Texans are turning to food banks for much-needed support. They can't do it alone, and we can help.

Over the past year, food insecurity among Texans has increased 60% over the same period in 2019. 8.9M Texans (31%) are now food insecure, more than double the pre-pandemic rate.

Adding to the higher demand, food banks lost 70% of their volunteer base due to the pandemic.

It's Our Time To Give Back To Families That Were Affected And Have Been Less Fortunate, To Those Who Have Lost Their Jobs, Their Loved Ones, Their Hope...

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