South Texas Food Bank starts 2012 with record number
3/16/2012 12:00:00 AM by Salo Otero
The South Texas Food Bank is now distributing supplemental food to 25,000-plus families per month.
The all-time annual high was reached in 2011 averaging 24,000 families per month. And 2012 has started with an even higher figure of 25,460 families served in January. The total includes 19,225 children, 37,745 adults and 62,384 meals served.
Also, almost one million pounds of product was distributed in February. The 920,280 pounds is the highest February total in the last six years. The previous high was 822,211 pounds in 2010. In the first two months of 2012, the food bank’s figure is 1.806 million pounds. The STFB distributed 9.70 million pounds in 2011 following a record 12.42 million pounds in 2010.
The totals were part of a report by STFB executive director Alfonso Casso Jr. at the monthly board meeting March 14 at Commerce Bank. Casso also noted program numbers – 485 bags distributed via adopt-a-family; 7,113 served in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), mostly for elderly; 342 SNAP Outreach applicants representing 474 adults, 543 children; 692 children served 14,532 meals at 15 Kids Café sites; and 75 walk-in bags, representing 133 adults and 100 children. “We’ve been fortunate to have food coming in,” Casso said. “And the need continues to grow. Food is distributed to the unemployed, under employed and those living on fixed incomes.’’
The STFB elected officers for 2012. Kevin Romo, State Farm Insurance agent, was re-elected board president and Annie Zuniga Dodier, retired educator, was re-elected vice president. Other officers are Erasmo Villarreal, secretary; Ed Shewood, treasurer; and Tano Tijerina, historian.
Comments
Add a Comment (All fields required)