South Texas Food Bank lauds top food donors

Special to Laredo Media

LAREDO, TX - The South Texas Food Bank  recognized its top three food  donors for 2011 at its monthly board meeting at the Commerce Bank community suite on Mann Road and San Dario on April 11.

H.E.B. Stores, which helped start the food bank in 1989, led with 1,018,723 (1.01 million) pounds. Vilore  Foods contributed 509,780 and Walmart-Sams  485,297 pounds. The South Texas Food Bank distributed 9.7 million pounds during 2011  in an eight-county area from Rio Grande City to Del Rio.

South Texas Food Bank executive director Alfonso Casso Jr. reported  that food bank  programs  continue to  assist   during  these difficult economic  times  with  supplemental  food  to the unemployed, under-employed and  those living on fixed  incomes.  He said, "We receive donations in many forms including, cash, grants, volunteer hours and food.  In food donations, we have many local, regional and national companies as well as local organizations, schools and individuals who assist in our goal to alleviate hunger.  We thank them all but we especially recognize our top three food donors. They deserve our heartfelt thanks and admiration for all that they do to help our entire service area."

STFB board president Kevin Romo added, “H.E.B. has been with the food bank since day one. We are thankful to them and  all who help in our mission of feeding the hungry.”

The STFB distributed 816,503 pounds of product in March, bringing the year’s total to 2.622 million pounds, which is the highest  three-month figure since  a  record-setting 2010 when  the annual mark  was 12.424 million pounds. Through the first two months of  this year  the  South   Texas Food Bank shows 51,752 families, including 36,287 children, 75,154 adults and 121,947 meals were served.   The March monthly  totals  were adopt-a-family 416 bags with 85 on a waiting list; Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP a USDA program for the elderly) 7,040 with 167 on  a waiting list; Supplemental  Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps)  Outreach  had 379 applications representing 534 adults  and 566 children (1,116 applications for the year, 1,52 adults, 1.676 children), Kids Café with 15 sites  served after school meals to 700 Monday through Friday that included 14,532 meals and  walk-in emergency bags were 79, representing 525 adults, 440 children.

The food bank board approved Gateway Christian Church, 5901 McPherson, Suite 3B, as a new agency  under pastors Lemuel and Maye Lara. It will serve 40 families per month.

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