Houston Food Bank

Houston Food Bank is a private non-profit organization that has been “leading the fight against hunger” since founded in 1982. This year, the Food Bank’s goal to distribute 40 million pounds of product will help feed 35,000 people everyday. The fight against hunger is permissible only through the generous community support of volunteering, food drives, monetary donations, and partnerships.

Food Bank Facts

Because of its strong community partnerships, the Houston Food Bank is able to stretch $1 to feed a child, adult or senior for the entire day. Houston Food Bank strives to efficiently allocate all donations by using only 2.7% of all resources for operation costs. This means that 97 cents of every dollar donated feeds the hungry. The Food Bank also focuses on balanced diets, nutrition education, and a chance for a better life through its expanding programs: Backpack Buddy Club, Culinary Academy, Kids Care, Operation Frontline, Second Chance, and Social Services Outreach.

A certified member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network), the Houston Food Bank distributes nonperishable and perishable food items to nearly 400 hunger relief agencies in 18 southeast Texas counties. Its network charities include servicing church and community food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters for the homeless and abused, and nutrition sites for children and elderly.

Last year, Houston Food Bank distributed 36 million pounds of food to its partner agencies. Realizing that nearly 900,000 people, including one in four children live in poverty throughout southeast Texas, the Food Bank embarked on a Capital Campaign. By 2018, its goal is to triple food distribution to 120,000,000 pounds annually. The Food Bank stance is that hunger can’t wait.

In its latest endeavor, Houston Food Bank is merging with End Hunger Network to expand and increase their innovative programs and the Food Bank’s capabilities.

Getting involved

There are numerous ways to help Houston Food Bank.

Volunteer

Houston Food Bank always accommodates volunteers. The current dollar value of a volunteer’s time and labor is $19.51/hr. Last year volunteers gave over 100,000 hours of support. This is equivalent to more than 50 full-time staff.

Monetary Donations

Monetary donations are invaluable. With its strong community partners, the Food Bank is able to stretch every $1 donated into $6.

Food Donations

Donations of food are received in various ways, whether it’s from a distributor, food drive, or drop off.

List of Most Needed Foods Items

Canned tuna or chicken, packed in water
Canned stews and pasta with meat (easy on salt and fat)
Peanut butter
Canned fruits in light syrup, natural applesauce
100% juice in cans or boxes (no glass, please)
Canned vegetables, tomatoes, tomato sauce
Soups with meat and/or beans, meal-in-a-can (easy on salt and fat)
Cereals and cereal bars (easy on sugar and fat)
Pasta, spaghetti, macaroni, noodles
Packages of dry beans
Packages of dry rice

Hurricane Ike

On September 13, 2008 Hurricane Ike made landfall on Galveston, Texas as a strong Category 2 hurricane. In the wake of this storm, hundreds of thousands of Texas residents found they could not obtain food without assistance. Before Ike hit, Houston Food Bank began to prepare itself and its member agencies for immediate disaster-relief in response to the storm. Sustaining moderate damage to its own facilities, the Food Bank ramped up overnight to provide food, water, and supplies to families and individuals affected by Ike. Of the 18 counties in Houston Food Bank’s service area, 15 were declared official disaster areas by FEMA. By the end of October 2008, more than 15 million pounds of disaster relief food had been distributed by 7,500 volunteers. The volunteer’s efforts yielded more than 45,000 hours of time to the Food Bank post Ike.