Houston Food Bank
 | |
| Type | Non-profit |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 in Houston, Texas |
| Founder(s) | Joan and Stanford Alexander |
| Headquarters |
535 Portwall St Houston, Texas 77029 |
| Key people | Brian Greene, President/CEO |
| Website | |
Houston Food Bank is a private non-profit organization founded in 1982 Houston, Texas and is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network.[1] The Houston Food Bank is America’s largest food bank in distribution to its network of nearly 600 hunger relief charities in 18 southeast Texas counties. Named top charity in Texas by Charity Navigator for financial performance and accountability, the Food Bank provides more than 64 million nutritious meals to food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and other agencies, feeding 137,000 people each week. Fresh produce, meat and nonperishables are distributed from the warehouse at 535 Portwall, and hot meals are prepared and distributed from Keegan Center, a 15,000 square-foot industrial kitchen. Additional community services range from nutrition education to assistance with food stamp applications and hands-on job training. Red Barrels offer a convenient way for grocery shoppers to donate nonperishables for their neighbors in need. The organization plans to grow to provide100 million nutritious meals annually by 2018.[2]
Operations
The Houston Food Bank is currently the largest Feeding America food bank in the U.S., in both the amount of food distributed to its partner agencies and in the size of its facility. Thanks to strong community support, the Food Bank use only 5% of all resources for operation costs, which allows 95 cents of every dollar to feed hungry children, adults and seniors. The organization focuses on balanced diets, nutrition education, and social services provided through its programs, such as Backpack Buddy, Kids Cafe, Serving for Success, and Social Services Outreach.[3]
In fiscal year 2012-2013, Houston Food Bank distributed the equivalent of 64 million nutritious meals to its partner agencies. The emphasis is on nutrition: 40% of total distribution is produce: More than 2 million pounds of produce is distributed monthly.[4]
Product is distributed from two locations: a 308,000 square foot warehouse at 535 Portwall St. on Houston’s east side, and the 15,000 square foot Keegan Kitchen just north of downtown Houston. The warehouse was acquired as the culmination of a capital campaign that generated $56 million in gifts from the generous community. The Keegan Kitchen formerly housed the End Hunger Network, a partner hunger relief organization that merged with the Houston Food Bank in 2008.[5]
Most Houston Food Bank partner agencies receive food through deliveries by the Food Bank, which uses a fleet of 68 vehicles and trailers. These vehicles also pick up food donations from area food industry locations, including more than 200 grocery stores participating in the Retail Pick-up program.[6]
While the Food Bank has nearly 200 employees, volunteers are essential to the Food Bank’s mission. In fiscal year 2012-2013, volunteers donated 234,000 hours while sorting and processing food, in addition to other tasks that support the staff. The number of donated hours is equivalent to 112 full-time employees.
References
- ↑ "Feeding America - Houston Food Bank". Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ↑ "Charity Navigator Rating - Houston Food Bank". Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ↑ "Houston Food Bank". Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ↑ "Houston Food Bank". Retrieved 2013-10-21.
- ↑ "Houston Food Bank, End Hunger Network to merge". Houston Business Journal. 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ↑ "Houston Food Bank". Retrieved 2013-10-21.