1. food and drink

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HELPINGS
It’s an Exciting Time at the
San Antonio Food Bank!
SPRING
2013
In This Issue:
2 Letter from the
President/CEO
2 Policy News
With the construction of our warehouse expansion
in full swing, there is never a dull moment at the San
Antonio Food Bank. When the dust settles, we will have
an additional 104,000 square feet to help us achieve our
goal of distributing 53 million pounds of food to those
facing food insecurity in our 16-county service area. The
expansion will provide much needed space for storing our
Twelve Most Wanted Items as well as greater capacity to
house perishable items, increasing our ability to provide
more fresh produce and dated items such as milk and eggs.
In our current space, we will see a new volunteer lobby, an
events pavillion--capable of holding up to 300 people--and
a new sorting area. All of this will help us to efficiently
serve the community.
2 Partner Services
3 Spotlight on Hunger
3 Special Events
4 Calendar
The expansion continues our theme of a “green”
building using “green” strategies to maximize our resources.
The new warehouse will add 375,000 gallons of reclaimed
water to benefit our 22 acres of farm land. We will be
able to reclaim and store water from rain, condensation
and from our neighbors at Bay Valley Foods. The Food Bank will be able to use the reclaimed water
from the Bay Valley vegetable wash rather than it “going down the drain.”
We’re building a new road behind the San Antonio Food Bank to make it easier for our fleet of
trucks to make their way to our loading dock. As we approach summer, the timing couldn’t be more
perfect as we increase our goal to serve nearly 300,000 meals to area children through the Summer
Food Service Program (SFSP) via 150 sites throughout our 16-county area. The SFSP is one of our
most vital programs as many families wonder how they will feed their children while school is out of
session. Many children go from eating two healthy meals per day during the school year, to complete
food insecurity in the summer months. The Summer Food Service Program helps families continue to
feed their children.
To contribute to healthy options and
fun for downtown employees and tourists,
the 3rd Annual Main Plaza Farmers’ Market
began in early March and will continue
through December. The Farmers’ Market
is an opportunity to purchase tasty, local,
seasonal produce, artisan breads, and even
a healthy lunch. Our very own Catalyst
Catering offers affordable, hot and healthy
meals. The Farmers’ Market is held each
Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The
second Tuesday of each month will host a
special theme and guest presenters. Come down and visit us!
With more space, comes a greater responsibility to fill our facility to meet the never ending need in
our community. Won’t you help us fill up?
Visit our website at safoodbank.org or call us at 210-337-3663 for details on how you can join us
in being part of the solution to end hunger by donating food, time or money.
Please visit us at:
www.safoodbank.org
www.facebook.com/safoodbank
twitter.com/safoodbank
www.flicker.com/photos/safoodbank
www.youtube.com/thesafoodbank
safoodbank.wordpress.com
Fighting Hunger...
...Feeding Hope
The mission of the San Antonio Food Bank is to fight hunger
in Southwest Texas through food distribution, programs,
education and advocacy.
Our programs and services reach 58,000 individuals each
week through our network of partner agencies.
Thank you for joining us in our efforts to fight hunger and
feed hope in Southwest Texas.
Extra Helpings is a newsletter published
three times a year by the
San Antonio Food Bank.
Editor: Dawn A. Thurmond
If you get two of these, please give one to
a friend and notify the Food Bank.
San Antonio Food Bank
5200 W. Old US Hwy 90
San Antonio, TX 78227
210.337.3663
www.safoodbank.org
The San Antonio Food Bank does not
sell or share its mailing list with other
organizations.
This agency prohibits discrimination on the
basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion
or national origin.
2012-2013
Board of Directors
Chairman
Henry Feldman
Martin Feldman Hospitality
Management
1st Vice Chair
Katie Lenss
Chubb Personal Insurance
2nd Vice Chair
Michael Cubeta
Security Service Federal Credit Union
Treasurer
John L. Shank
Citibank
Secretary
Mike Graham
H-E-B
Past Chairman
Michael Ussery
The Bank of SA
Robert Blalock
Spawglass Contractors, Inc.
William Bodnar
Tesoro
Jerry Brown
Amoco (retired)
Steve Coben
San Antonio Circular
Geoffrey W. Crabtree
Methodist Healthcare System
Herman S. Crockett
Sysco- San Antonio LP
Michael B. Fanning
MBF Enterprises, Inc.
Richard Goldsmith
SA Area Foundation
Hans C. Rickoff
Akin Gump LLP
Travis C. Hodges
Nationwide Sales Solutions
Rose Jentz
Capital Group Companies
Phil Karl
Performance Sales &
Marketing
Garry W. Kirker, Ph.D.
Valero Energy Corp.
Steve Koenig
PlaneFlite Associates
Bill Lester
Cox, Smith, Matthews, Inc.
Gerald C. Letch, Jr.
Consultant
D. Skipper Nelson
Acosta Sales & Marketing
Donna C. Normandin
Frost Bank
Dana Simmons
USAA
Hugh Topper
H-E-B
Jimmy Toubin
Toubin Insurance Agency, Inc.
Advisory Board
Ken Allen
H-E-B
Mike Beldon
Beldon Roofing
Rabbi Barry Block
Temple Beth El
Charles Butt
H-E-B
Buckner Fanning
Fellowship of San Antonio
Bill Greehey
NuStar Energy
William Klesse
Valero Energy Corporation
Greg Kowalski
The RK Group
Joe McKinney
Broadway Bank
Bill Morrow
Grande Communications
Gregg Popovich
San Antonio Spurs
Tom Roddy
Benson Enterprises
Kenny Wilson
Bank of America
Nelson Wolff
Bexar County Judge
President/CEO
Eric S. Cooper
Attend New Agency Orientation
to go over programs, policies
and procedures. Classes begin
at 9 a.m. at the SAFB.
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April 11
May 7
June 5
July 9
From Where I Stand
Dear Friend,
Having the privilege of leading your San Antonio
Food Bank is a gift for which I am grateful for every
day. My deep gratitude is a result of the generosity of
partners and donors like you. Here are a few highlights
for which my heart is overflowing with appreciation in
the last few months.
First, we closed out a $15,000,000 capital campaign
in December. The campaign was possible because
of the tremendous leadership given by our honorary
Campaign Chair, Coach Gregg Popovich. His tireless
efforts coupled with the generosity of key donors
allowed us to complete our fundraising in just a few
months. Special thanks to the donors who made this
campaign happen: H-E-B, Valero, Harvey E. Najim, The
Kronkosky Foundation, USAA, The Greehey Family
Foundation, Barbara and Michael Gentry, and Gregg
and Erin Popovich
Second, we will begin farming an additional 15-20
acres adjacent to our facility thanks to an arrangement
made with the City of San Antonio. This land will
provide produce for our families in need, as well as for
residents at San Antonio’s transformational homeless
campus: Haven for Hope. The City has agreed to lease
the Food Bank this land for $1 a month for 20 years
and we are excited to engage
the community in bringing
nourishing food out of this
rich soil.
Finally, and perhaps most
importantly, I wish you could
see the daily transformation
of lives that happens because
of your support. Whether
you donate food, money,
or time, your contribution
helps us set the table for
58,000 people a week in the region. People who would
otherwise go hungry are fed because of you. I see and
hear the stories every day, and the recipients are often in
tears due to your kindness and generosity. On behalf of
them I thank you for all you do to further our mission.
Sincerely,
Eric S. Cooper
President and CEO
Policy News
The San Antonio Food Bank’s (SAFB) Government Relations & Advocacy department genuinely
appreciates your participation in support of our mission to end hunger in the community. The Food Bank has
been busy meeting with elected officials both in our state capital, Austin, and most recently, in Washington,
DC.
In February, the Food Bank, in conjunction with the Texas Food Bank Network (TFBN) and other food
banks throughout the state of Texas, met with state elected officials to advocate for programs that can help
alleviate hunger in our communities. The San Antonio Food Bank and members of the TFBN requested an
increase in the Texans Feeding Texans (Surplus Ag) grant program, which helps glean excess produce from
farmers. Topics discussed included helping our children eat healthy and become fit, as were various measures
to increase access to breakfast and nutritious meals during the summer, as well as strengthening physical
activity in schools.
The Food Bank also attended the National Anti-Hunger Conference in Washington, DC in March to
participate in a day of visits to Capitol Hill to oppose funding cuts to nutrition programs authorized in the
Farm Bill. Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency
Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) are vital in helping struggling families put food on the table. As Congress
faces our country’s fiscal challenges, the San Antonio Food Book urged elected officials not to cut these
important nutrition programs.
We will continue to work with Feeding America, TFBN and other hunger coalition partners from around
the country like The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) to advocate for our clients and oppose cuts
to critical nutrition programs. The San Antonio Food Bank encourages you to get engaged by contacting
your elected officials to share the need for support of these programs. If you would like to become an
advocate, please visit www.hungeractioncenter.org or log onto www.safoodbank.org.
Partner Services
Each week, the San Antonio Food Bank feeds upwards of 58,000 people. That’s a lot of meals! We
recognize we cannot distribute these meals without the extraordinary assistance of the 500+ partners who
provide staff, volunteers, transportation, distribution, and most importantly, face-to-face compassion.
In an effort to thank our partners, the Golden Apple Awards Banquet was created five years ago
to celebrate their successes by hosting a dinner in their honor. These agencies include food pantries,
senior centers, after-school programs, shelters, group homes, churches, community organizations, and
soup kitchens; many of which are operated and sustained by volunteers.
This year’s Golden Apple Awards was held at TriPoint with a dinner provided by the San Antonio Food
Bank’s Community Kitchen, and Toni-Marie Van Buren, Senior Vice President, Partners for Community
Change, United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County as keynote speaker. While all partners do an
outstanding job each year, we take the time to award eight agencies providing service in excellence. This
year’s awardees were:
• The Dorothy Gonzales Hunger Fighter of the Year: Chapel Hill U.M.C. – Margie White
• Hunger Fighter Team of the Year: Community Resource and Recreation Center of Canyon Lake
• Senior Program: Beacon Hill
• Children’s Program: YMCA at Haven for Hope
• Nutrition Partner of the Year: Presa Community Center
• Client Services Partner of the Year: Catholic Charities
• “Best All Around” Multi Service Agency of the Year: Hispanic
Religious Partnership
• Honorable Mention: Mt. Sinai Church
• “Excellence” Food Pantry of the Year: River of Life
• Honorable Mention: King of Kings Lutheran
We can’t say thank you enough for the hard work and commitment ALL our partners contribute to our
mission. Congratulations to all awardees!
For more information about
Partner Services or to register
for classes, please call
210.431.8339.
Fighting Hunger...Feeding Hope
2
Spotlight on Hunger
Twenty Years of Service to the Food Bank
We typically cover a client in this section of our
newsletter but in this edition we wanted to highlight the
career of an employee celebrating 20 years of service to
the San Antonio Food Bank--Eddie Rodriguez.
Eddie remembers answering a newspaper ad for a
truck driver position at the Food Bank in 1993. Since that
time he has worked in transportation, warehouse, sorting
and now maintenance. Back then the Food Bank had 18
employees and three very old and very used trucks.
In his 20-year career, the Food Bank has tripled in
size--a feat he credits to current President and CEO, Eric
Cooper. Rodriguez quietly says, “I used to roll my eyes
when he would talk about his vision--it didn’t seem like we
could accomplish it. Today when he says we’re going to reach a goal, I believe in him 100%--he
delivers! I never dreamed we would have a new facility or that we could accomplish such big things.
But look at us now!”
He also encourages friends to donate their time. When he provides tours, Rodriguez says he’s
very proud to show off our growth, and volunteers are always amazed by how much the Food Bank
does for the community. Rodriguez realized the impact of the Food Bank one day while driving,
when he suddenly saw multiple cars turn around and follow a San Antonio Food Bank truck that was
traveling on the opposite side of the road. “To realize that a person was in such need, they would
follow our truck around, I knew then our work is important.”
Eddie says he is most impressed with the dedication and work of our Partner agencies, “These
are people who sometimes have it worse than the people they serve, yet they are there--despite
their age or circumstance--making sure others have food to eat.” Rodriguez has felt the impact of
working at the Food Bank in his own life, “I have met some really good and really helpful people. I
wouldn’t be where I am today. We have a tough staff--we just move forward in spite of tough times.”
Eddie is probably best known for his grilling skills; every year for the NALC Food Drive he
comes out in “El Capitan”, his old Winnebago, and grills hotdogs and hamburgers for the community
event. “I’m really best known for my bbq and bbq sauce!” Eddie exclaims proudly.
Eddie has no plans to retire any time soon. He hopes before that time comes he sees a new
generation of philanthropists take over the battle to fight hunger in Southwest Texas.
Thank you Eddie Rodriguez for 20 years of service!.
Let the SAFB Client Services
staff help you locate your
nearest pantry. They can
also help complete your
application for SNAP, CHIP,
Children’s Medicaid, Adult
Medicaid, WIC, Women’s
Health Program, Long Term
Care, TANF or Medicaid for
the Elderly and People with
Disabilities.
Call 210.431.8326 or
800.246.9191
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturdays
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Special Events
Thank you for an amazing holiday season!
We are so honored by our community’s
support of The Great Turkey Challenge, our
Annual 5K Run/Walk, which raised enough
money to provide 8,500 turkeys to families
in need. Additionally, Food 4 SA raised over
1,000,000 pounds of food through countless
food drives during the month of November.
We are incredibly grateful for your help.
In case you have not yet heard, the San
Antonio Food Bank is raffling off a Tim
Duncan-designed 2012 Toyota Tundra! Thanks to The Grill at Leon Springs, Cavender Auto
Family, and Black Jack Speed Shop, this one-of-a-kind truck is perfect for the ultimate Spurs fan.
Tickets are only $50 each and available online at safoodbank.org/spurstruck. Only 5,000 tickets
will be sold and over 2,200 have already been sold to date. The drawing will be held on May 1st
– good luck!
Spring is here and the San Antonio Food
Bank invites you to attend The County Line
Music Series, which kicked off mid-March and
is held every Wednesday evening from 6:30 –
10:00 PM at The County Line on I-10. Join
the Food Bank as we collect canned goods and
monetary donations while enjoying great music
and beautiful weather. Many thanks to our
great volunteers, the Parrot Head Club of San
Antonio, for joining us again at The County Line
this summer.
Doing Good on the Green, the San Antonio Food Bank’s 9th Annual Golf Tournament, will
take place on Wednesday, April 24th at 8:00 AM. Held on the Oaks Course of the exclusive TPC
San Antonio at the JW Marriott, the tournament is a great way to spend a morning on the greens
while fighting hunger in our community. Individual and team registrations are still available, as
well as sponsorship opportunities. Join us at TPC San Antonio and play where the pros play!
We are thrilled to announce that the
San Antonio Food Bank will benefit from the
Taste of the Dominion, held at The Dominion
Country Club on Thursday, May 2nd. This
tasting event features many local restaurants and
chefs. The evening will also include a fabulous
silent auction and a dessert throw-down between
our own Catalyst Catering and The Dominion’s
kitchen staff. Tickets are available for $35 at
www.safoodbank.org/thedominion.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit safoodbank.org for more details on these and all of
our upcoming events.
Donate at www.safoodbank.org
A special thank you to
the following for their
support:
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Alamo Drafthouse
Capital Group
Companies
Citi
City Church
Cox Communications
The Dominion Country
Club
The Grill at Leon
Springs
H-E-B
National Association of
Letter Carriers
New Braunfels
Downtown Rotary
San Antonio Spurs
Store Point Conference
TPC San Antonio
US Postal Service
Valero
For more information on
these and other events,
please visit our website at
www.safoodbank.org
or call 210.337.3663.
3
Non-profit Organ.
U.S. Postage
P A I D
San Antonio, TX
Permit No. 725
United Way of San Antonio
and Bexar County
San Antonio Food Bank
5200 W. Old US Hwy 90
San Antonio, TX 78227
210.337.3663
www.safoodbank.org
Fighting Hunger...Feeding Hope
Calendar of Events
Ongoing
The County Line Live Music Series
- Every Wednesday thru Sept.
- 10101 IH-10 West location
- Free with a food/$ donation to SAFB
- Headliner begins at 8 pm
Gardening 101
-4th Friday of each month
- To register, e-mail:
[email protected]
Main Plaza Farmers’ Market
- Tuesdays, 10 am - 1 pm
- 115 Main Plaza, downtown
Viva Bien! Live Well with Diabetes!
- 4th Wednesday of each month
- 6:00 - 7:30 pm at SAFB
- Call (210) 431-8351 to register
For more information on
our upcoming events,
follow us on Facebook or
visit our website at
www.safoodbank.org or
call 210.337.3663.
Superior Health Plans Healthy Cooking
- 2nd Tuesday of each month
- 11 am - 12 pm
- Call (210) 431-8420 to register
* must have Superior Health Plan card
Upcoming
March
30
Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice Food
Drive
April
24
Doing Good on the Green
- 9th Annual Golf Tournament
- Register (210) 431-8310 or
[email protected]
May
2
Taste of the Dominion
- Food, Fun and Fancy at the Dominion
- More info: (210) 431-8309 or
[email protected]
11
National Association of Letter Carriers
- Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
- Be on the lookout for your donation bag!
- And don’t forget to leave by your mailbox
for pick-up
15
Date Night at the Quarry Golf Club
- 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
- RSVP to (210) 431-8306 or
[email protected]
Volunteers Needed for the
2014 Hunger in America Study
Take part in the country’s largest survey of agencies and clients of charitable food assistance.
Volunteers are required to attend a training and meet certain qualifications.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Smith at (210) 431-8308 or
email at [email protected].