As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition October 2017
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Hi, welcome to Empty Bowls 2017. Thank you so much for joining us. My name is Michelle Zamora and I’m the Board President of the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. I wanted to take a moment to thank the city of Pharr for they do for this project. I am very proud of what the Food Bank does. And I wanted to share a story. I hope you enjoy the following video.
My name is Beatrice and I’m 77 years old and I live in Donna. One time I didn’t have any food and this has helped me a lot because now I can at least open a can of beans and I can eat it. At that time, I didn’t have any. It’s terrible. Because I didn’t I have any meat, I didn’t have any bread. I didn’t have anything to make tortillas. I didn’t think I was going to come to this point. But I am limited in my income. So, we didn’t have much to buy.
We thank the Food Bank because you all are helping a lot of people that are out there that really needs help like me. I can survive now because I have food and I thank you all for giving us That Food. And now a lot of people a lot of people are in my situation too. So, thank you.
There is hope for Beatrice and thousands like her. Operating from the valley fruit and vegetable company in far Texas. The food bank of the Rio Grande Valley has been fighting hunger for 31 years.
The food bank at the Rio Grande Valley feeds 42,000 people a week with the help of partner agencies, donors and local businesses. Our senior program helps ensure over 8,800 seniors get proper nutrition. Thousands of volunteers keep the food bank moving providing 105 meals for every hour served. Our community garden shows us how we can make healthy choices.
Local growers help us deliver truckloads of fresh produce across the valley.
School tools helps elementary teachers put school supplies in the hands of our low-income children. Our partnerships across the Valley have kept us going and helped make our communities stronger.
We answered the call for hurricane Harvey by delivering over a million pounds of produce water and other items.
Thank you for allowing us to share our story and stories from our clients. We have grown to become the largest non-religious charity in South Texas based sheerly on numbers of clients we serve. It’s been difficult but your help has made a huge difference. Please continue to help. Five dollars can help us provide 25 meals for children. One hour of volunteering can help us provide 105 meals. There’s always a way to help. Let’s fight hunger and feed hope together in the Rio Grande Valley.
Be the light of hope. Light up your glow stick.
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc., does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship, religion, political beliefs, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
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