ERIC COOPER

The San Antonio Food Bank says it’s getting harder to feed families due to the spike in diesel prices, which average at an all-time high in San Antonio at $5.29.

LinkedIn users can now classify their time away from paid work as one of 13 types of career breaks.

Feeding a large household is getting more expensive to provide at home and even more to eat out.

The 26th annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice is scheduled for March 26 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

SPONSORED: The community healing we need comes through daily opportunities to serve and volunteer for the benefit of others.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of last February’s freeze, KSAT is shining a spotlight on the organizations that helped us get through it. The San Antonio Food Bank is one example.

Hundreds of cars lined up for a mega food distribution event outside Gus Stadium Friday morning hosted by the San Antonio Food Bank.

Students, administrators, alumni and fans of each university volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank Wednesday morning.

When seniors enter retirement, a good amount of them rely solely on Social Security checks as income and sometimes the checks aren’t enough to cover groceries.

San Antonio Food Bank staff and volunteers spent Wednesday morning making Thanksgiving meals for shelter residents at Haven for Hope.

The boost in food stamp benefits, which is permanent, marks the largest increase in the history of the safety-net program.

The San Antonio Food Bank is seeing near record requests for holiday help, but the supply of turkeys and other holiday items is running short, the nonprofit said in press release.

An hour-long event of music, readings, and reflections from numerous inter-faith leaders ahead of Thanksgiving.

SA Foodbank and the Military Family Advisory Network distribute meals to hundreds of military families facing food insecurity

As the people in Louisiana begin the long road to getting back to normal after Hurricane Ida, San Antonio organizations are joining others across the country by sending food and supplies to help.

The San Antonio Food Bank on Tuesday is sending its first truckload of food and supplies to Louisiana to support those affected by Hurricane Ida....

We’re about 17 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and the images of long lines at food banks are still difficult to forget. But, we are far from done.

San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper is among panelists who will join KSAT 12 anchors Max Massey and Sarah Acosta.

The pandemic continues to affect San Antonio families' food security, but food bank CEO Eric Cooper sees hope in kids returning to classrooms.

The food bank is looking for volunteers who speak different languages -- including Spanish, French and Creole -- to assist the migrants.

The San Antonio Food Bank says families struggling to recover from the pandemic are turning to it for help.

The apartments are expected to open in fall of 2022. The project is one of the first food bank-backed housing efforts in the nation, Cooper said.“It's not a shelter, it's not dealing with emergency situations. It's really dealing with individuals that are working in New Braunfels that are struggling with the affordability of rent and the inability to gain equity,” Cooper said. “It's more of a hand up than a handout. “It's a much bigger movement and work than just 51 apartments run by the food bank.”

The San Antonio Food Bank's mission to end hunger expands to family pets.

The San Antonio Food Bank is one of 16 food-distribution organizations that landed a combined $507,000 grant from health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of...

The San Antonio Food Bank is sending out a plea for volunteers, calling it “an urgent crisis.”

When you spend 25 years in the fight to end hunger, folks are bound to notice. Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio...

On April 9, 2020, thousands of residents waited for hours at the parking lot of Trader’s Village to receive meals from the San Antonio Food Bank. It became the largest domestic emergency food distribution in the nation.

A local bank donated $50,000 for the fifth year in a row to help keep a refrigerated truck on the road to pickup and distribute food to families in need.

SAN ANTONIO – It’s been 12 months of challenges but also opportunities. The San Antonio Food Bank reflected on one year of hard work feeding thousands of families during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re taking this anniversary of the COVID-19 crisis to bring a level of stewardship and accountability and sharing what we’ve experienced, what we’ve learned and what we’re hopeful in the next year,“ San Antonio Food Bank President and CEO Eric Cooper said Wednesday. “That sector for San Antonio was disproportionately impacted in this crisis. So many of our layoffs were in that sector and many military households were impacted,” Cooper said.

Eric Cooper assumed the man wearing military fatigues at the San Antonio Food Bank was there to volunteer. READ ALSO: No lettuce for San Antonio man who sued H-E-B alleging cashier whacked him with cucumberThe encounter struck a chord with Cooper. He says that the percentage of people with military connections served by the San Antonio Food Bank has more than doubled from 15 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic to 37 percent. About 2.5 million people live in the 16 counties served by the San Antonio Food Bank. The food bank has provided food, in many cases biweekly, to about 625,000 people.

SAN ANTONIO – In Military City U.S.A., the San Antonio Food Bank has always helped serve active duty military families and veterans needing its help, however, during the coronavirus pandemic, the need is even more apparent. Accustomed to seeing military members in uniform helping to unload and distribute items at the food bank, Cooper said a recent encounter he had in the food bank’s lobby was a sobering moment. “He kind of hung his head and said, ‘No, I’m actually here to get food,’” Cooper said. “Just because that’s the man that I am.”He said thankfully, a friend told him about the San Antonio Food Bank. “It’s amazing to see so many people giving back to our community, you know, because this is San Antonio,” Brazier said.

SAN ANTONIO – Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank president and CEO, took a surprise call from the White House regarding the food bank’s food and water response following last week’s winter storm. According to a statement by the food bank, Cooper stopped between separate food distributions on Wednesday and ate at Whataburger when Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman of the United States and husband to Vice President Kamala Harris, called him. The food bank said Emhoff wanted to check on San Antonio and the organization’s response effort. He shared the challenges of water and the fragility of the power grid that crippled so many,” the San Antonio Food Bank said in a statement to KSAT. He mentioned the selfless volunteers and the incredible donors of food, water and funds.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is serving up relief for thousands of people in South Texas who have been impacted by the historic winter weather this past week. With the wintry conditions behind us in Texas and the San Antonio region, residents are looking to restock their fridges and water supply. The food bank’s network of food pantries and mobile food distributions remains fully operational and open to the public for help. AdEvery $1 donated to the food bank provides seven meals. If you are interested in signing up to help in the next city-wide distribution event with the SA Food Bank, you can preregister here.

Actress Eva Longoria is visiting San Antonio on Monday. This Monday afternoon, Longoria will take a quick tour of the San Antonio Food Bank with the President and CEO Eric Cooper, according to a news release from the food bank. She will also make three home deliveries to households impacted by the Texas winter storm last week. Michael G. Guerra, the San Antonio Food Bank's Chief Resource Officer, said the food agency is excited to have Longoria join them this afternoon, saying her warmth will brighten many during this time. "Her being in town is exactly what we need to bring some warmth after our winter storm," Guerra said.

click to enlarge Instagram / @safoodbankCars line up for an emergency food distribution in San Antonio. The San Antonio Food Bank will spend this weekend filling the cupboards — and bellies — of local families hit hardest by the winter storm gripping much of Texas.The Food Bank will hold seven mega-distributions Friday through Sunday, aiming to help families restock their shelves with food and water.“We have been meeting the emergency food needs all week for the homeless and those in shelters across our community,” Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper said in a release. “Now it’s time to reach those in homes through our distributions…”The Food Bank’s main facility — located at 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway — will host a three-day distribution Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It expects to distribute food and water to 2,000 households.NISD Gustafson Stadium — 7001 Culebra Road, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Rackspace Technology — 1 Fanatical Place, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.River City Church — 16765 Lookout Road, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.Harlandale ISD Memorial Stadium — 1109 Apollo St., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Volunteers are in critical need, and those interested in donating their time to support a food distribution can register at the San Antonio Food Bank’s website.The Food Bank recommends those with Internet access pre-registration to receive their food and water. However, those without the ability to pre-register won't be turned away.

A Schertz firm came through for the San Antonio Food Bank and the San Antonians its serves, with a donation of $50,000 worth of PPE products. Paul Richmond, owner of Richmond Advantage in Schertz, personally delivered the PPE (personal protective equipment) supplies Jan. 13 to the San Antonio Food Bank and its president and CEO, Eric Cooper. “The food bank needs PPE supplies to take care of the volunteers and the San Antonio community. Cooper thanked Richmond and his staff for thinking of the food bank, its workers and its mission. “Most people know the San Antonio Food Bank for food.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is a staple of our community and for more than 40 years the organization has worked to help local families who need it most. And they’re counting on us to be able to nurse their family,” Food Bank CEO and President Eric Cooper said. Eric Cooper has been with the food bank for years. This past year when the pandemic hit the food bank and their resources were spread thin. The food bank at one point was serving up to 120,000 people on a given day.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank’s final mega distribution of 2020 Tuesday morning carried a Texas twist with each of the food packages. Community First Health Plans also helped pay for the transportation for much of the food. The food bank says it has seen the number of people it helps every week jump from 60,000 to 120,000 across 16 counties. The mega mobile distribution events have been become necessary to help deal with the influx of recipients, the demands of COVID-19 precautions, as well as the loss of many partner agencies who used to help distribute the food. Though the mega distribution events are done for the year, families are still able to get help through the SA Food Bank.

click to enlarge Facebook / San Antonio Food BankAs this shitshow of a year comes to a close, it's safe to say that we can all use some positive news.That positive news comes to us from the Texas Comptroller’s Office, which helped the San Antonio Food Bank discover enough unclaimed property to provide nearly 140,000 meals to the community, KSAT reports.“The Feeding Texas network of food banks, along with partners around the state, has been working tirelessly to meet the increased need, and we’re pleased to assist their efforts,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar told the TV station. “Every dollar can go a long way in helping needy Texans make ends meet during these unprecedented times ..."The Feeding Texas network works with 21 member food banks, assisting over 4 million Texans annually with food and resources to fight hunger in the Lone Star State.The Comptroller’s Office told KSAT that unclaimed property for food banks could include utility deposits, uncashed checks and refunds from vendors.In the SA Food Bank’s case, those numbers added up to more than $19,000 — enough cash to provide nearly 140,000 meals to families in its 16-county service area.“It’s a bit of a Christmas miracle to get a gift of unclaimed property via the state Comptroller’s office,” Eric Cooper, CEO and president of the San Antonio Food Bank, told the station.

click image Pexels / Oleg Magnihas reported that retailers, police departments and loss prevention researchers are seeing a nationwide spike in theft of food and hygiene products — data that starkly illustrates the ever-increasing need for federal relief.Thereports that shoplifting is up markedly since the pandemic began — at much higher levels than in past economic crises — but what’s distinctive about this trend is the fact that staples such as bread, pasta and baby formula are what’s being taken.“2020 has been extra difficult because of the coronavirus pandemic,” SA Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper said in September . “We’re seeing more families — those who never thought they’d be in this situation — coming in for help.”The San Antonio Food Bank has seen a rapid increase in need during the pandemic, as more than 625,000 people in the organization’s 16-county service area have received food bank assistance since March “It’s become much harder during the pandemic,” one Washington, D.C. grocery store operator told the. “People will say, ‘I was just hungry.’ And then what do you do?”Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 54 million Americans will struggle with hunger this year — a 45% increase from 2019.While several federal food programs provided billions of dollars in fresh produce, dairy and meat to food banks nationwide, those programs are set to expire at the end of the year — just weeks away.The USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is one of the largest federal efforts, providing organizations like Feeding Texas and the SA Food Bank with food boxes during the pandemic, but it is already running out of money in some states, according to the $908 billion bipartisan coronavirus relief deal has been proposed to Congress, however little progress has been made on the legislation as folks on both side of the aisle continue to bicker about details.“We’re supposed to be the greatest, richest country in the world, and we don’t have safety nets for when something like this happens?” Danielle Nierenberg, president and founder of food equity and sustainability nonprofit Food Tank, told the“People are being forced to steal when they shouldn’t have to, and that’s a great American tragedy.”

click image Instagram / @safoodbankIn a partnership with H-E-B and the San Antonio Spurs, the San Antonio Food Bank will hold its largest mega mobile distribution of the year Tuesday, supplying families with much-needed groceries as well as holiday-worthy goodies.Tuesday, December 15, the Food Bank will distribute 150 pounds of food for holiday meals to 2,000 households, including more than 10,000 donated H-E-B Meal Simple holiday dinners and 40,000 pounds of fresh produce.“Imagine the anxiety the holidays bring, and then add on top of it not having food. It breaks your heart,” Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank said in a release. “H-E-B brings both hope and meal ingredients to our hurting neighbors, and we could not be more grateful.”For this special holiday distribution, registered families also have the opportunity to receive additional gift and gas cards, coloring books, crayons, candy canes and chocolate candies, blankets, masks, children’s books, movie passes, and vouchers to illumiNight: A Magical Drive-Thru Experience The December 15 distribution will take place at the AT&T Center, and will begin at 9 a.m. Pre-registration for the distribution is required at the San Antonio Food Bank website

SAN ANTONIO – You could see it in the aerial pictures of the San Antonio Food Bank’s mega distribution event in April. Similarly, the San Antonio Food Bank has seen a 30% increase. Of those 181 food banks examined by the Associated Press, San Antonio’s food bank ranked 15th in average food distribution prior to the pandemic. In the meantime, the food bank will be there to help families keep food on the table, Cooper said. “In the end, it’s going to be OK.”How to helpThere are several ways to help the San Antonio Food Bank feed hungry families.

SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s Note: Watch the entire briefing in the video player above. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Tuesday night. Nirenberg reported 81,626 total COVID-19 cases and 1,362 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 452 new cases as of Tuesday. Wolff said there are currently 76 COVID-19 patients from El Paso in San Antonio hospitals. The school risk level is currently at “moderate.”School Risk Level: 12/1/20 (COSA/Bexar County)Eric Cooper, CEO and president of the San Antonio Food Bank, said his organization is serving 120,000 people each week.

SAN ANTONIO – When seniors enter retirement a good amount of them rely solely on their social security checks as income. But that’s where the city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Food Bank have stepped in, with its regular Convoy of Hope. For 17 years the city of San Antonio has partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank to deliver 12,000 boxes of food to eligible seniors in senior centers. It kicked off on the north side even though there is not a senior center currently in district 9. Councilman Courage said hopefully in the next 16-18 months a brand new senior center will be in the area.

SAN ANTONIO – With coronavirus cases surging in and around San Antonio, some families are going through tough times, or have been since the start of the pandemic. President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank Eric Cooper joined Leading SA Sunday to discuss how the demand for assistance from the food bank is still consistent, even eight months into the pandemic. There’s information for those that need to be able to get the resources they need,” Cooper said. To learn more about the San Antonio Food Bank, visit its website here. RELATED: How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemic

Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, told CNBC that his Texas food bank now feeds double the amount of people it used to compared to before the coronavirus pandemic gripped the United States. Cooper's food bank serves eight semi-truck loads of food per day to people in need. Organizers at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank say that one in four people can't meet their basic food needs. As food insecurity rises, federal funding has been critical with the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which provided $850 million to food banks this year. Cooper said that if someone wanted to help, they should visit FeedingAmerica.org, find their local food bank, and get involved through donating food, volunteering or making a financial contribution.

SAN ANTONIO – On your mark, get set, trot — virtually, to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. The food bank’s annual Turkey Trot 5K will be virtual this Thanksgiving due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced. The virtual race will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, in an effort to raise money to feed families in need. “The pandemic has brought on a season of need, unlike anything we have seen before," said Eric Cooper, CEO and president of the Food Bank. “More than ever our community needs us.”In previous years, the race was held throughout Southtown and the King William area.

click image Instagram / safoodbankThe 10th annual San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot, a key fundraiser for the nonprofit, is going virtual this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The event usually takes place downtown on Thanksgiving Day, but Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper says he's optimistic that the virtual nature of this year’s run will actually yield more participation.“While we truly miss the annual event from the H-E-B headquarters and Commander’s House, this virtual event means that so many more can participate,” Cooper said in a release. “We would expect more than 5,000 in-person, but this virtual option to run or walk a 5K means that anyone can participate from anywhere they happen to be on Thanksgiving Day. We hope to see families participate with multi-generations that have never come downtown for the race.”Those who want to take part can register at the SA Food Bank website . Each registration fee will pay for a turkey that will be donated to the Food Bank and distributed to needy families.In turn, trotters will receive a running shirt, finisher’s medal and more as part of their registration. They can also opt to provide more than the one turkey.The organizers encourage participants to share day-of photos on their social media platform of choice and tag the San Antonio Food Bank.

click to enlarge Instagram / cre8amealIn emails to federal officials, event planner-turned-government contractor Gregorio Palomino said his company had a 12-year relationship with the San Antonio Food Bank, a claim the nonprofit refutes, according to a new Express-News investigation. The revelation comes months after Palomino’s San Antonio-based company, CRE8AD8, won a controversial $39 million contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers to Families Food Box Program to distribute food to needy families. Eric Cooper, CEO and president of the Food Bank, told thethat the first he had heard of CRE8AD8 was May 8, when the USDA announced that the company had received the contract.“I had never heard of them, didn’t know who it was,” Cooper said in an interview with the newspaper.Thereports that Palomino contacted the Food Bank shortly after learning of the award, saying that his company had “selected the SAFB due to my relationship with you all over the last 12-plus years, as well as with former and current employees who know me personally.”Cooper told thethat his staff could find no record of a relationship between Palomino and the Food Bank.“When you say you are a supporter, generally we define that as someone that is donating food and time through volunteerism or making a financial contribution, and we could not find that Greg Palomino had done any of those three things,” Cooper said.However, Palomino told thethat he had “written proof of contact and acknowledgment of communication, including time-stamp” from the Food Bank before CRE8AD8 submitted its proposal to the USDA.Palomino also maintained that he has “taped recordings with the SAFB” in which Cooper acknowledges that communication between the two entities “existed before [CRE8AD8] submitted [its] proposal.”Thereports that Palomino didn’t provide any of the above-mentioned proof to the paper. However, the paper said CRE8AD8 has submitted “written proof of documentation” to a congressional panel conducting a probe of the USDA's food box program.Palomino has been under a microscope since CRE8AD8 improbably landed its massive federal contract despite a lack of food-logistics experience. Media outlets have reported on the firm's history of questionable claims about past clients, alleged lack of licensing and its inability to deliver on terms of its deal with the USDA.

San Antonio – The coronavirus pandemic is impacting food deserts in San Antonio, but the Southside Independent School District and the San Antonio Food Bank are playing critical roles and ensuring no one goes hungry. City Council is tackling food deserts by increasing access to fresh fruit, vegetablesSouthside ISD hosts food distributions twice a month and feeds more than 5,000 people a month. Southside ISD receives the food it gives to its community members from the San Antonio Food Bank. The San Antonio Food Bank says one in four children experience hunger in San Antonio. The majority of the food the nonprofit distributes comes from donors such as H-E-B, but the food bank also has farms where it grows produce.

SAN ANTONIO – According to a new survey conducted by the UTSA Urban Education Institute, 26% of families say they are experiencing food insecurity. That means their food supply ran out and there was no money to buy more. Director Michael Villareal said this is something we see throughout the city, not just in any particular part of town. According to Eric Cooper with the San Antonio Food Bank, the results show a direct correlation with remote learning. Villareal hopes the issues highlighted in this survey will trigger community involvement to combat food insecurity especially amid this pandemic.

click to enlarge Instagram / CRE8AMEALJust when we thought we’d heard the last of him, controversial San Antonio event planner Gregorio Palomino is back in the news. new report by Texas Public Radio based on federal records it sued to obtain suggests Palomino may made misleading statements to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as his business pursued a $39 million contract for work on the agency’s hunger-relief program.CRE8AD8, Palomino's San Antonio-based company, received the contract as a part of the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box program, which supplies surplus food to families economically hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.According to TPR's reporting, the documents show that Palomino trumpeted existing relationships with the San Antonio Food Bank and Feeding Texas, even though leaders of those nonprofit say they were unfamiliar with the company before it landed the deal.“We are initially interested in serving the San Antonio Food Bank located in San Antonio, TX and already have an agreement in place to do so,” read an April 30 email from Palomino to the USDA shared online by TPR.But Food Bank president Eric Cooper told the station he'd never heard of the company until after the contracts were announced.“I think it shows that there's this overstatement, [and] it's the perception of things that really, most people would ask, ‘Well, you know, did you really have a relationship with these guys?’” Cooper said.Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, which works extensively with all of Texas’ 21 food banks, shared a similar account.In a May 1 email included in the USDA documents discussed by TPR, Palomino told the agency he'd contacted all of the food banks in Texas. The email is time-stamped May 1, but Cole says Palomino had no relationship with Feeding Texas and other organizations at that time.“If USDA awarded the contract on the basis of having those relationships, that is troubling, because we did not have those until after the award,” Cole told TPR.TPR asked the USDA what impact Palomino’s representations about the relationships could have had on the outcome of his bid, but the agency declined comment.Palomino has been a focus of media investigations since CRE8AD8 improbably landed the sizable federal contract. Those reports have included a history of questionable claims regarding past clients, nonexistent licensing and the firm's inability to deliver on the terms of its government pact.Indeed, CRE8AD8 was only able to complete two-thirds of its obligations under the contract, USDA officials said at a congressional hearing this summer.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is asking the community for support as it helps provide meals to area families and persons affected by layoffs and unemployment related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following September’s successful Hunger Action Month efforts, San Antonio Food Bank organizers are still looking toward community donations and financial support as the holiday season approaches to keep shelves stocked and bellies full. Related: How you can help support the SA Food Bank for Hunger Action MonthEric Cooper, president of the San Antonio Food Bank, said he was proud of the community for stepping up to help those in need and looks forward to a similar effort as the holiday season nears. Cooper said that means the food bank is now dependent on community donations and financial assistance. “For us, it’s a challenge because it is so expensive right now.”Related: The Big Give 2020: San Antonio Food Bank feeds 120K South Texans per week

SAN ANTONIO – September is Hunger Action Month and our KSAT Community partners hope to help bring food, money and awareness to the needs of people in San Antonio and around South Texas. Since March, the San Antonio Food Bank responded to the COVID-19 crisis by serving 120,000 people per week across 16 county service areas with 80% from Bexar County. “We are so grateful because when we put the need out, San Antonio always responds,” said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. How you can support the SA Food Bank:Donate foodDonate onlineVolunteer timeThe most wanted items the food bank is looking for include peanut butter, beans, chili, soups, cereal, rice, tuna, canned lunch meats, pet food, macaroni and cheese, full meals either canned or boxed, baby food, diapers and pop-top food items. If you are interested in donating items to the SA Food Bank, you can drop food off at 5200 Enrique M Barrera Pkwy, San Antonio.

click to enlarge Courtesy Bimbo Bakeries USAFor the fourth year in a row, Walmart, Bimbo Bakeries USA and Tyson Foods have teamed up to support the San Antonio Food Bank’s mission by donating 15,000 pounds of food through a partnership with Feeding America.Representatives from each of the organizations visited the Food Bank Thursday to deliver the donation, which included 5,000 pounds of bread and 10,000 pounds of much-needed protein that will be distributed over the coming weeks.A donation of this size equates to 12,500 meals.“The summer months are always a struggle for food banks, with children out of school and donations lighter because of vacations," SA Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper said in a release.“2020 has been extra difficult because of the coronavirus pandemic. We’re seeing more families — those who never thought they’d be in this situation — coming in for help. We cannot thank our corporate partners enough for this generous donation during these trying times.”

SAN ANTONIO – Over the past few years, KSAT Community has partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank for Hunger Action Month in September, and now the call for support has increased drastically due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since March, the Food Bank responded to the COVID-19 crisis by serving 120,000 people per week across 16 county service areas with 80% from Bexar County. “The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically increased the demand for food,” said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. San Antonio Food Bank is anticipating 124,430 new individuals will face hunger sometime in the coming year, along with an additional 56,720 new children. Now they are relying on the San Antonio Food Bank to feed themselves and their children.

SAN ANTONIO The president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank worries that they wont be able to keep up with the demand as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Cooper said he also worries about whether people will be able to economically recover from something so unexpected. Recently, the food bank has a seen a small increase in demand as many federal benefits have run out. But weve got lots of shifts that still need volunteers, Cooper said. Cooper says he knows the San Antonio community comes together during tough times.

SAN ANTONIO – As the economic slowdown increased the demand for food banks around the country, the United States Department of Agriculture created a program to help with the demand and help producers as well. According to the USDA, the program launched in May and saw food purchases of $947 million. SA Food Bank officials concerned demand may spike after several assistance programs end this weekEric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, said the program has been a great help in a time of need. The first round of the program occurred between May 15 and June 30, with one vendor securing a contract for the San Antonio area. And that’s not just San Antonio, that’s all of South Texas,” Cooper said.

SAN ANTOBIO – As several federal assistance programs aimed at helping people affected by the economic slowdown come to an end this week, there is a fear at the San Antonio Food Bank that the need for assistance could grow. Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, said the number of people helped each week by the Food Bank doubled from 60,000 to 120,000 at the start of the economic shutdown in March. How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemicWith programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, unemployment insurance and a moratorium on evictions ending this week, Cooper is worried the demand for help may spike. On Monday, the San Antonio Food Bank met with several of its large financial supporters to go over its current inventory and demand. How well-positioned we will be in our inventory will be the question.”Another area where the food bank needs help is with volunteers.

SAN ANTONIO After Mondays call for help, the San Antonio Food Bank has lessened the need for volunteers this week. The amount of people who rely on the San Antonio Food Bank has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The food bank went from helping 60,000 people a week to now 120,000 people. Leah Mishket is one of the dozens of volunteers doing what they can to help San Antonio families through this tough time. As we are hitting July, mid-summer, its hot and theres a lot of distraction and we felt the dip, San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper said.

SAN ANTONIO Editors note: This content was created exclusively for KSAT Explains, a new, weekly streaming show that dives deep into the biggest issues facing San Antonio and South Texas. San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper woke up April 9 knowing it would be a busy day. San Antonio Food Bank holds day of service to honor George FloydCooper said demand has doubled since the onset of COVID-19. (San Antonio Poverty Chart via City of San Antonio.) San Antonio Food Bank mega distribution image.

San Antonio Food Bank officials say they may have to cut back or cancel some mobile and mega distribution events because of a lack of volunteers. The food bank needs 400 volunteers a week to support these events and so far they only have about 100 volunteers for this week and the next several weeks. Food bank officials say its an all-time low for volunteers during the COVID-19 response effort. How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemicOur great community is rightfully cautious about getting out at the moment, given the spike in local cases. But the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our economic stability as a community and food needs continue at all-time high levels, said Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

SAN ANTONIO Five employees of the San Antonio Food Bank have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past several weeks, CEO Eric Cooper confirmed Monday. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food bank has been an integral part of the communitys response, currently feeding upwards of 120,000 people a week. Community lives up to San Antonio Strong with generous response to COVID-19 pandemic, food bank CEO saysCooper said Monday volunteer groups that have been helping with food distributions have been properly notified of positive cases. Officials in Bexar County on Sunday announced 538 new cases of COVID-19, the most ever recorded in a single day in the area. Cooper called it a tough environment and a scary time, but said the food bank is resolute in its mission to safely continue providing meals for area families.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio community has helped those in need get through nine difficult weeks of COVID-19 impact. The San Antonio Food Bank showed just how far the community’s generosity extended in its COVID-19 Crisis Impact Report, which was released Wednesday. CEO Eric Cooper said "San Antonio Strong" has proven true in our community. “It's been the COVID-19 crisis that has brought out this need,” he said. Some $9.1 million purchased 200 semi-truck loads of food over the last nine weeks, and federal funds are now arriving.

Texans can now use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps, to purchase their groceries online through Amazon or Walmart. The pilot program launched statewide Wednesday, expanding the number of states participating in the pilot program. Texas is the 14th state to join the pilot program, which launched in New York in April 2019 with Walmart and Amazon. SNAP benefits are applied to SNAP recipients Lone Star Cards, which can be used just like a credit card when checking out groceries online from Walmart or Amazon. Accepting SNAP benefits for grocery delivery services is a huge step toward access to food for all, Cooper said.

Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneSaturday's biggest developments:San Antonio event company's federal contract to distribute food draws criticism from food bank presidentSan Antonio Food Bank president criticizes federal contract awarded to events company[5 a.m.] San Antonio Food Bank's president aired concerns about an events company receiving a $39.1 million federal contract to distribute food boxes, the San Antonio Express-News reports. The USDA extended a contract to an underdog, someone they are betting on might be able to pull this off, rather than an industry standard, Food bank president Eric Cooper told the Express-News. Our values align with the San Antonio Food Bank," he told the paper. "Thats food safety, food handling and helping families, this is our priority, too. Our goal is to source from local and regional, small minority farmers and suppliers, and work closely with partners such as the San Antonio Food Bank."

Honigblum worked with the San Antonio Food Bank to figure out how best he could help with food donation and distribution efforts, he said. Every week, the food bank needs about $6 million in food and money to serve Bexar County and the 15 surrounding counties. Bags of produce and H-E-B gift cards are handed out during the San Antonio Food Bank Lots of Love event at Pica Pica Plaza. Weve had college students that received their $1,200 stimulus check and donated the entire amount to the food bank, Cooper said. Donate to the San Antonio Food Bank here.

Philanthropist Harvey Najim, WOAI /KABB teaming to raise money for Food BankFood Bank CEO Eric Cooper, left, shakes hands with Harvey Najim, who along with the Najim Family Foundation, gave $1.3 million to the food bank on March 7, 2018, for new refrigerated trucks to deliver perishable food. less Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper, left, shakes hands with Harvey Najim, who along with the Najim Family Foundation, gave $1.3 million to the food bank on March 7, 2018, for new refrigerated trucks to deliver ... more Photo: Tom Reel /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Tom Reel /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Philanthropist Harvey Najim, WOAI /KABB teaming to raise money for Food Bank 1 / 1 Back to GallerySAN ANTONIO - Television stations WOAI and KABB will team this week with philanthropist Harvey Najim to raise money for the San Antonio Food Bank to help it feed thousands of food-insecure families during the coronavirus pandemic. Harvey is incredibly in tune with what is going on at the Food Bank and the extreme need for food as people are losing their jobs, WOAI/KABB news director Mendi Mendoza said. If you spend $100, it turns into $200.The Food Bank says it can turn every $1 donated into seven meals. Instead, you will see volunteers from the Food Bank and other foundations in town on our broadcasts taking your donations via Zoom.The first 1,000 telethon donors each night will receive a free No.

SAN ANTONIO – “San Antonio has been a city that struggled for a long time. For those fortunate enough to be in a position to help others right now, volunteering, donating and spreading the word on social media are three easy ways to help the food bank, Cooper said. Eventually, the food bank will reopen donation lines for non-perishable food items. Get your friends involved and you can help us big time at the food bank,” Cooper said. RELATED: Local woman challenges community to donate to San Antonio Food Bank during coronavirus outbreakThose who may need assistance with food can visit the San Antonio Food Bank’s website and watch below.

As hunger spikes during the coronavirus pandemic, the San Antonio Food Bank has kept up with need by expanding its services tenfold, drawing national attention for its capabilities. Much of that attention focused on the miles-long lines of cars waiting for food last Thursday at Traders Village, which is a situation that Eric Cooper, food bank president and CEO, would not like to see repeated. As a result, the food bank Mega Distribution held Friday morning at the Alamodome was scaled down to serve 2,000 families, providing two weeks worth of groceries to each. The food bank continues its pop-up free markets in the 16-county area surrounding Bexar County, with increased capacity, and has ramped up its additional food delivery service from 40 to 160 boxes per day. Food Bank Chief Resources Officer Michael Guerra said pre-registration for both distributions is already full, and we would love to have people call to learn all the ways they can access food, by calling the food bank at 210-337-3663.

Its just scary.Loop 410 and the access road are backed up with vehicles waiting to get into the San Antonio Food Bank food giveaway at Traders Village on the Southwest Side. One food bank truck carried enough to serve rural counties like Atascosa or Real, which usually saw 100 to 400 people seeking food, depending on the population. Volunteer Kay Ryan loads bags of split peas into vehicles at the San Antonio Food Bank food giveaway. Normally, the Dream Center does weekly food drives, but during the coronavirus pandemic Chavarria shifted to helping the food bank distribute groceries. San Antonio Food Bank President and CEO Eric Cooper carries boxes and bags of food to be delivered to residents at the Sorento senior living complex.

As the San Antonio Food Bank sees a twofold increase in the number of people needing assistance in the wake of coronavirus-related closures, H-E-B delivered 24 truckloads of food to food banks across Texas on Monday. The San Antonio-based grocer delivered enough food for about 500,000 meals to food banks across the state, including the San Antonio Food Bank. The latest donation follows the $1.2 million and 15 truckloads of food and household items H-E-B provided earlier this month to food banks affiliated with Feeding Texas, a statewide network of food banks. Last week, he said, the food bank fed twice that number: 120,000 people. Cooper advised individuals who need help to apply for food benefits at the San Antonio Food Bank website.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank announced Friday that the COVID-19 response has put a strain on the agency and its ability to help those impacted. “We’ve gone from feeding about 60,000 people a week to about 120,000,” Food Bank President and CEO Eric Cooper said. San Antonio Food Bank launches ‘Neighbor Helping Neighbor’ response effortThe Food Bank has reduced the number of volunteers at its facility to comply with orders and social distancing, which has also caused a challenge in how food is distributed to the public. Those in need will need to preregister with the Food Bank and a distribution site will be set up for people to pick up their food. “Once H-E-B gets back to normal, we will launch a food drive to help families affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

click to enlarge Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Food Bankclick to enlarge Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Food BankIn the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Feeding Texas a 21-member statewide network of food banks has reached out to the Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA for help with feeding the growing number of food-insecure households.Last week we fed about 80,000 people, and we are projected to feed well over 120,000 people this week, said Eric Cooper, CEO of San Antonio Food Bank. We just hope that the state of Texas is able to help us here in San Antonio.To maximize outreach and lower safety risks, the Food Bank will condense its food distribution activity this week, shifting to fewer but larger events. In the meantime, it's also encouraging residents in need to apply for food assistance and for those with resources to donate or volunteer.Families in need of food assistance should apply for help online . The Food Bank will help individuals navigate the steps, while allowing them to apply for both food pickups and federal benefits.The Food Bank is encouraging residents to donate funds rather than food items to help feed those in need. We dont want to stress the current grocery system any more than it already is, Cooper said.The Food Bank is asking for pre-qualified volunteers who havent traveled to or been exposed to sites affected by COVID-19.

San Antonio Food Bank preparing to help low-income residents if coronavirus strikes hereEric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank president and CEO, said the nonprofit will make and distribute 300,000 kits to help low-income people in the event of a coronavirus outbreak. Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank president and CEO, said the nonprofit will make and distribute 300,000 kits to help low-income people in the event of a coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez / Contributor Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez / Contributor Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close San Antonio Food Bank preparing to help low-income residents if coronavirus strikes here 1 / 1 Back to GalleryThe San Antonio Food Bank on Thursday launched a month-long coronavirus preparedness and prevention campaign that aims to reach about 300,000 low-income households with kits that provide a 14-day supply of food and cleaning agents. The food bank will deliver the kits via targeted mobile distributions throughout southwest Texas. Individuals wanting a kit can also visit the food bank.

From there, he moved to Dallas where he was the product donations manager for the North Texas Food Bank. In 2001, he joined the San Antonio Food Bank as president and CEO, at 31 becoming the youngest to lead the nonprofit in its history. During his tenure, the San Antonio Food Bank has grown to more than 180 employees and increased food distribution from 10 million pounds to more than 75 million pounds last year. In an average year, the San Antonio Food Bank distributes nearly $125 million in food to those in need. RR: What makes the San Antonio Food Bank different than the other 200 food banks across the United States, and what does the organization have in store for the near future?

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is once again participating in the Hunters for the Hungry program, which is managed by Feeding Texas, to help those in need. Through the program, hunters can drop off legally tagged deer to a participating meat processor, and eventually, the meat makes its way to the San Antonio Food Bank. But this year, we partnered with Trinity Oaks, where the San Antonio Food Bank has staff and volunteers that process venison,” said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of San Antonio Food Bank. “Now that money will come through Texas Parks and Wildlife to the San Antonio and New Braunfels food banks. San Antonio resident Travis Wuest grew up hunting and has been participating in the program for many years.

Palo Alto College on the South Side opened a new community garden Monday. She takes pride in her work to help build the new community garden. Fresh foods are not very accessible to people living in and around the Palo Alto College area. We teach you how to plant the plants, even how to harvest," said Rose Flores, landscaping and horticulture instructor at Palo Alto College. People who plant and grow the veggies can take them home or donate them to the Palo Alto College's food bank.

The City of San Antonio will receive $280,200 from the federal government as reimbursement for migrant aid-related expenses, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) said Thursday. The reimbursement funding came from a $30 million measure that was included in an emergency funding package. Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio was allocated $361,000, the largest sum of all local organizations that applied for federal reimbursement. The San Antonio Food Bank will get $62,500, while United Way of San Antonio will get $12,900. The church did not apply for federal reimbursement as it was contracted for its services, Woosley said.

The solution needs to be comprehensive and holistic and address those basic needs, including food. "A new $16 million culinary center will allow SAFB to provide five times the number of meals it currently serves, bringing the total number to 50,000 per day. "Many people dont realize the San Antonio Food Bank serves 16 counties, and Comal County is one of the fastest growing in the nation," Cooper said. "That growth has caused rents to skyrocket, so many New Braunfels residents can no longer afford to live in New Braunfels. It's up to us to change, but at the end of the day, the Food Bank only succeeds in what the community supports us in."