SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK

From kids out of school to higher prices for air conditioning the San Antonio Food Bank needs more donations and more volunteers this summer.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a crucial resource for thousands of families across our community, and the summer months are some of its busiest.

Feed SA is a city-wide movement to help fight hunger. Every Feed SA season, there is a call for local organizations to fundraise, donate and serve with the San Antonio Food Bank.

KSAT 12 teamed up with the San Antonio Food Bank’s Agricultural Initiatives program to plant seasonal vegetables like corn, beans, carrots, basil and squash.

Melanie McGuire, Chief Program Officer with the food bank joined Leading SA to explain the latest SNAP changes.

Thousands of local families are bracing for the end of extra food stamp benefits now that the federal government is ending a pandemic-era policy that gave millions of families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program more money every month.

SNAP households saw a minimum reduction of $95 in their benefits this month.

Black Restaurant Week San Antonio is a week-long event that celebrates the contributions of Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, and businesses across the culinary industry.

Workforce Solutions Alamo is hosting its annual winter food drive benefitting the San Antonio Food Bank this month.

Teachers and students are officially out of school until 2023. For some families, having the kids at home means more meals to prepare during the winter break.

The San Antonio Academy’s annual food drive broke previous school records by collecting over 22,000 items for the San Antonio Food Bank.

The season of giving is well underway as hundreds of families lined up for fresh Thanksgiving meal kits at Rackspace headquarters Saturday morning.

“This is going down as the most expensive Thanksgiving ever, the cost of turkey and the sides, families are struggling,” said Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank CEO.

The San Antonio Food Bank helps more than 100,000 people per week, and with inflation this Thanksgiving, it is officially their most expensive on record.

University Health and the San Antonio Food Bank are partnering up for World Diabetes Day by holding a public health fair on Nov. 14, according to a news release.

Get spooky and give back with Morgan’s Wonderland through October.

The east coast continues to feel the impact of Hurricane Ian as much destruction was left behind; some local organizations are stepping up and helping out.

Fall is officially here, and now is a great time to start gardening and building soil in your garden or refreshing container gardens.

A woman who turned to the San Antonio Food Bank for help was inspired to help others by setting up a food distribution twice a month for her East Side neighborhood.

Hunger does not discriminate - take part in creating hope during Hunger Action Month.

This September is Hunger Action Month, a time to focus on advocating against hunger.

The San Antonio Food Bank and RBFCU have partnered to collect nonperishable food items for Hunger action month.

It’s National Dog Day, a day to celebrate all dog breeds and raise awareness for public shelters and rescue dogs. But perhaps one population you don’t think about as pet owners are those experiencing homelessness.

The “first of its kind” partnership between the San Antonio Food Bank and Workforce Solutions Alamo could serve as a national model.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a lifeline for families in our area, and it’s now seeing a rise in demand as lines are getting longer with more people facing a rise in rent, utilities and gas costs.

In partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, HealthTexas will be offering senior citizens free fresh produce and nutritional education.

Burger Boy is hosting a drive-thru fundraiser from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank.

The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Food Bank has separate programs with the same goal: Increase healthy food options in areas of town known as “food deserts,” which are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as low-income areas where the nearest grocery store is more than a mile away.

Gas prices and inflation are hurting all of us differently, but it’s also hurting San Antonio organizations working to help others.

San Antonio Burger Week is back again to celebrate the beloved hamburger but with an innovative twist from more than 30 area restaurants.

The Baptist Health System is leading an effort to help children and adults struggling with hunger.

The San Antonio Food Bank continues its support in Uvalde by inviting volunteers to build care packages and write cards to be sent with their usual food deposit to benefit the community.

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.

Requests for assistance from the San Antonio Food Bank are higher now than they were in December, but the food bank says there are not enough donations.

As food prices continue to go up, many people are going outside to do their own gardening for fruits and vegetables.

The pandemic and inflation are reasons why families are still struggling and in need of food.

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

The United Way is kicking off its 8th annual Shoebox Project by collecting shoeboxes filled with everyday toiletries to be distributed to people in need.

In honor of Black History Month, several Black-owned restaurants, food trucks and businesses are teaming up for “the tastiest week in San Antonio.”

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.

If you are looking for healthy and affordable food options this holiday season, there’s a food truck you might want to check out.

The holidays are a season of giving and philanthropic efforts have been impressive by many organizations around the Alamo City.

The annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing aimed to feed more than 2,500 families in our area.

The jersey No. 21 is an iconic number in Spurs lore, and this month, the number worn by Spurs great Tim Duncan can help feed San Antonio residents during the holidays.

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.

The San Antonio Food Bank is gearing up for a mega distribution event Wednesday with its special guest, the San Antonio Spurs Coyote.

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

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.

Donation from Tyson Foods will help feed families leading into the holidays.

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

A San Antonio local veteran who has battled homelessness for several years is hoping his story inspires others to donate to the San Antonio Food Bank during Hunger Action Month.

Food insecurity and obesity are two big problems facing San Antonio. The Mobile Mercado is trying to help.

The San Antonio Food Bank is lending a helping hand to families in need following the wrath of Hurricane Ida.

September is Hunger Action Month! How will you take action?

It was a busy and bustling morning at the San Antonio Food Bank as workers rushed to load up a truck full of emergency supplies headed to Louisiana.

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.

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

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 is in critical need of volunteers to help migrants traveling through San Antonio to get to their host families.

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

The San Antonio Food Bank is asking the community to help sign up for volunteer shifts throughout the summer to keep up with the demand for food assistance.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a vital part of our community, helping thousands of families every week.

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

The San Antonio Spurs are partnering with the San Antonio Food Bank to auction off a painting in honor of Tim Duncan’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Over the last year, we have seen inequities and disparities come to light, including long lines at the San Antonio Food Bank and numerous people losing their jobs throughout the course of the pandemic.

The local publisher, Dog Friendly San Antonio, is celebrating three years of providing fun options for canines and has a big goal to accomplish in less than 30 days.

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.

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 – Wholesome meats is a new company that is working with farmers and ranchers in multiple states, including here in the state of Texas. Their burgers are products of a natural process called regenerative farming and a local San Antonio restaurant is now using their food to create burgers to help the San Antonio Food Bank. They (the Wholesome Meats burgers) are really amazing,” Asvestas said. They don’t use chemicals or hormones and they always keep the ground covered,” Kent Wuthrich, CEO of Wholesome Meats said. So it’s like it’s a win win win for the community,” Asvestas said.

Volunteers hand out water at a San Antonio Food Bank drive-through food distribution site held at Rackspace Technology, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Water distribution sites across San Antonio and Bexar County will continue to operate from now through March 6. As announced Sunday, the distribution sites will be operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Listed below are the drive-up bottled water distribution sites:Wheatley Heights Sports Complex – 200 Noblewood Dr.Brooks – Challenger Dr. @ Research PlaceTexas A&M University - San Antonio - Main Campus – One University WayPort San Antonio – 205 Billy Mitchell Blvd. RELATED: Here are the water, food distribution centers open in the San Antonio area

To help the community during this difficult time, KSAT12 recently donated $25,000 towards the Let’s Help SA fund. By donating $25,000 to the “Let’s Help SA” project with Morgan’s Wonderland, we can help the city get back on the road to healing. These organizations are SAMMinistries, the San Antonio Food Bank and Haven for Hope. Haven for Hope provides, coordinates and delivers an efficient system of care for people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. AdThe Let’s Help SA emergency fund will be open for donations through 11:59 pm this Sunday, February 28.

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 Insurance Council of Texas is predicting that the winter storm that walloped Texas this month could be the costliest winter storm in state history. Many people in San Antonio and across Texas are dealing with problems caused by the snow, ice and frigid temperatures. In San Antonio, $100,000 is going to support Haven for Hope and the San Antonio Food Bank. AdH-E-BH-E-B announced a donation of $1 million to support 18 Texas food banks. AdToyotaToyota has donated $1 million to help Texas recover from the winter storm damage, including $300,000 in San Antonio.

These organizations are SAMMinistries, the San Antonio Food Bank and Haven for Hope. The San Antonio Food Bank provides food to those in need. AdHaven for Hope provides, coordinates and delivers an efficient system of care for people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. To help the community during this difficult time, KSAT12 recently donated $25,000 towards the Let’s Help SA fund. By donating $25,000 to the “Let’s Help SA” project with Morgan’s Wonderland, we can help the city get back on the road to healing.

SAN ANTONIO – Actress and philanthropist Eva Longoria helped deliver items to San Antonio residents who have been affected by last week’s winter storm and the coronavirus pandemic. The Texas actress joined the San Antonio Food Bank in handing out food, water and pet food, among other items, on Monday afternoon. Money donated to the emergency fund will be distributed to the San Antonio Food Bank, SAMMinistries and Haven for Hope, said Gordon Hartman, of Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusion Foundation, which will spearhead and seek donations from the community. AdThe first $500,000 in donations will be matched by The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, The Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation and the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, Hartman said. Full Screen Full Screen 1 / 12 Eva Longoria teamed up with the San Antonio Food Bank on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, to deliver items to San Antonio residents.

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.

SAN ANTONIO – Black Restaurant Week is underway across San Antonio and the event is getting an assist from the Tim Duncan Foundation. The foundation and the San Antonio Spurs official nonprofit, Spurs Give, are partnering with the San Antonio Food Bank to feed those in need. More than 30 San Antonio restaurants, food trucks and vendors are taking part in Black Restaurant Week which runs through Sunday, Feb. 28. The Food Bank is hoping to raise $2.5 million in extra food and funds before the end of the month. You can find more information about BRWSA events and specials here or information on the San Antonio Food Bank here.

SAN ANTONIO – The City of San Antonio, Bexar County and the San Antonio Food Bank have joined forces to provide bottled water to thousands of people across the area. “We’ve been getting by, but this is going to be a big help.”He, along with anyone who showed up, received one case of bottled water. “Even our pet needs bottled water, too,” Ibarra said. “So, we’ve got to give him water when we feed him, too.”Volunteers needed at bottled water distribution sites all week. On Sunday morning, Bexar County Sheriff Deputies volunteered at one of the bottled water distribution sites located in the parking lot of the AT&T Center Lot 7.

Volunteers are needed to help staff the distribution sites. Volunteer shifts are available Monday, February 22nd through Friday, February 26th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers will assist with loading cases of water into vehicles and provide instructions at the distribution sites. Volunteer shifts are available Monday, February 22nd through Friday, February 26th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers will assist with loading cases of water into vehicles and provide instructions at the distribution sites.

SAN ANTONIO – Two-thousand meals will be distributed Saturday to Harlandale Independent School District families in need, according to the school district. Harlandale ISD will partner with Harlandale Methodist Church and San Antonio Food Bank to distribute the meals, the district’s release said. “This week has been very difficult for many in our community, and we know many are struggling to find food,” Gerardo Soto, Superintendent of Schools at Harlandale ISD, said in a released statement. “We wanted to do our part in order to help the families in our community and we are grateful for our partnership with Harlandale Methodist Church and The San Antonio Food bank, who are helping us distribute these meals.”School officials said the meals will be given out via drive-thru and on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at Memorial Stadium, located at 4002 Roosevelt Ave. in San Antonio..

SAN ANTONIO – This week’s winter storm wreaked havoc in San Antonio and across the state of Texas. AdSalvation Army San Antonio Area CommandThe Salvation Army is asking for donations to support San Antonio families fighting to survive the cold. San Antonio Pets AliveSan Antonio Pets Alive was forced to close locations this week due to the storm, but their work has continued to keep their dogs and cats warm. San Antonio Food BankThe San Antonio Food Bank is preparing to provide emergency outreach to community members in need after being affected by the recent winter storms. For more information about the mega food distribution sites this weekend, call the San Antonio Food Bank helpline at 210-431-8326 during regular business hours on Friday or Saturday.

SAN ANTONIO – An American food staple will be honored with a week of its own in San Antonio. San Antonio Burger Week, which benefits the San Antonio Food Bank, is slated for Feb. 26-March 7. More than 30 San Antonio restaurants will offer burger specials during that time as it returns for the third year. The participating restaurants have yet to be named, but each will sell burgers between $5-$8. The website states restaurants will likely be busy and guests should expect long lines.

SAN ANTONIO – How much do you love those viral Bernie memes? Those viral Bernie memes you’ve likely seen on the internet in recent weeks have now turned into an auction to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. After Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders went viral for his inauguration look in a mask and mittens, he was photoshopped into every manner of photo - including some great San Antonio Bernie memes. The success of turning his meme into a way to give back was inspirational to me,” said Pacheco. She has listed her quilt on Ebay and plans to use donate all the proceeds from the sale to the San Antonio Food Bank.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank hosted another mega food distribution event Friday to assist families and their pets. The food bank was stationed at the Gustafson Stadium, handing out food and supplies. Staff members said the pet food is one of the many items that are heavily requested by the community. PetSmart Charities donated the pet food that was handed out and these mega distribution sites are hosted by the San Antonio Food Bank every Friday. RELATED: How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemic

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 serves thousands and thousands of families a year and during the pandemic the need has only grown more and more. And by growing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food, the food bank farms are vital to the mission. It’s an opportunity to keep active, you’re outside, you’re physically distant, but you’re participating in a larger project,” Gauch said. And it isn’t the only site for the food bank farm. Anyone that’s grown, cultivated or farmed knows that this is never an easy task, but at the urban farm for the food bank there is more than enough motivation.

SAN ANTONIO – Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe wants to feed you and help the community for the holidays. From now until December 23rd, when you order the Turkey Cran or The Grinch crepes, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank and Culinaria. The San Antonio Food Bank feeds about 58,000 individuals in a week and the Culinaria Hospitality Fund helps San Antonio’s struggling hospitality industry including restaurants and bars that have been hit hard during the pandemic. Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe is located at the Shops at La Cantera. Stop by and enjoy one of their tasty holiday snacks and give back for the holidays.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank recently claimed enough unclaimed property to provide nearly 140,000 meals to the community, and the Comptroller’s Office says more notable Texas food pantries may be owed thousands of dollars. The Comptroller’s Office is working with food banks across Texas to help them find unclaimed property that could help them fill up their food supply this holiday season. The San Antonio Food Bank had more than $19,000 in unclaimed property. “It’s a bit of a Christmas miracle to get a gift of unclaimed property via the state Comptroller’s office,” said Eric Cooper, CEO and president of the San Antonio Food Bank. The Comptroller’s Office has partnered with a contact at Feeding Texas to match food banks with their unclaimed property.

As part of its annual Feast of Sharing Celebration, H-E-B plans to celebrate the holiday season in San Antonio by distributing more than 10,800 holiday meals. Along with San Antonio Food Bank, 200 H-E-B Partners (employees) will volunteer to pass out holiday meals to Texans in need in San Antonio. Instead, H-E-B will donate more than 340,000 meals to support hunger relief efforts in Texas and Mexico this holiday season. In Texas, H-E-B will make monetary and food donations to 18 Texas food banks and more than 40 hunger relief agencies, such as Meals on Wheels. RELATED: San Antonio Food Bank’s holiday food distribution location now filled to capacity

SAN ANTONIO – Update:The San Antonio Food Bank’s holiday distribution location is now filled to capacity, the food bank announced Saturday. Anyone who is still in need of assistance is urged to contact the San Antonio Food Bank’s Client Services Team at 210-431-8326 or 1-800-246-9121. Original:There is still time and room to pre-register for the San Antonio Food Bank’s holiday distribution event on Tuesday. You can sign up for the distribution event by clicking here. The food bank expects about 2,000 households to take advantage of the food distribution.

SAN ANTONIO – About 1,500 families will receive the fixings for a holiday meal during a huge distribution event Friday at the Alamodome. The annual “Operation Turkey Drop” is a partnership between the San Antonio Food Bank and Bank of America. Bank of America bring both hope and meal ingredients to our hurting neighbors, and we could not be more grateful,” said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. It’s the first of two mega distributions by the Food Bank this month. The Food Bank is partnering with H-E-B to distribute holiday meals for about 2,000 families at the AT&T Center on Tuesday.

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 – 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 – Katherine Kelly’s mom, Brenda, always answered the call to help. In March, Brenda stepped in to help the San Antonio Food Bank. Although she lives in Rhode Island, Katherine began to raise donations for the San Antonio Food Bank. President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank Eric Cooper calls Brenda and Katherine’s dedication inspiring. RELATED: ‘We’re praying for shorter lines,’: SA Food Bank CEO says food bank still seeing high demand amid pandemic