Coastal Bend: Food Bank Giving Opportunity
In this week’s article, I want to discuss the importance of donating food to your local food bank. It is important to note that it is not just during the holiday season that people are in need of food. I ask that we try and give back by helping those who are less fortunate and very much in need. District 32 is served by the Food Bank of Corpus Christi, which serves Corpus Christi and Port Aransas and eleven coastal counties that include Aransas, Nueces and San Patricio County. The Food Bank is one of the 21 food banks located throughout the state that make up the Texas Food Bank Network. The network provides food to charities and service organizations in all 254 counties in Texas.
It is estimated by a recent study that around 1.7 million Texans suffer from food insecurity in our state. The food banks across Texas are an extremely important source of food. It is important to remember that the individuals that need help from the food banks come from a broad cross-section of households. The percentage of the total food that is distributed by food programs is heavily dependent on our local food banks. To put that in perspective, around 69% of all the sources of food comes from Feeding America member food banks.
There are many ways that you can help feed the hungry, not just this Holiday Season, but year round. You can donate food and/or money to the food banks or even coordinate a food/fund drive. If you would like to donate food, the food banks are always in need of nutritious, non-perishable foods such as: meals in a can (stew, chili, soup), tuna / canned meat, peanut butter, canned foods with pop-top lids, low sugar cereals, 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes, canned fruit packed in juice, and canned vegetables (low salt). The food bank in our area can be located at:
Food Bank of Corpus Christi
826 Krill Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78408
361-887-6291
While food donations are welcome and appreciated, the most cost-effective and convenient way to give is to make a monetary donation on-line. Our local Food Bank is able to accept credit card donations by way of their websites: The Food Bank of Corpus Christi (Aransas, Nueces, San Patricio Counties). Monetary donations give each food bank the flexibility to put resources towards specific food areas that may be more depleted than others.
Port Aransas also features a food pantry called Helping Hands. It is located within the Community Presbyterian Church at 113 S Alister St, Port Aransas, TX. Helping Hands can be reached at (361) 749-4506.
If you would like to follow the Texas House and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, you can access its website at Texas House of Representatives. The site features live streaming from committee hearings as well as access to a number of other resources. You can also follow the Texas Senate at Texas Senate. For important information regarding transportation in the state, feel free to visit the Texas Department of Transportation. Other references are the Texas General Land Office, or visit the Texas Railroad Commission.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
