SAN ANGELO, Texas — September is National Hunger Action Month and the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank is helping families get food on their tables.
Hunger Action Month is a month-long campaign to fight against hunger. Every September, food banks across the United States promote ways to raise awareness against food insecurity.
One-in-eight residents in the Concho Valley, including one-in-four are at risk of food insecurity. In the middle of a global pandemic, many families are struggling financially. The food bank helps 13 counties in the San Angelo area and partners with 85 agencies.
Throughout the pandemic, the food bank has hosted food distributions for those in need. More than 32,000 backpack sacks have been distributed to children in risk of food insecurity.
Director of development, Susan Gober, said, “The Concho Valley Food Bank is an organization that although it does not have direct services to the public, we have member agencies that come here and get items that we receive from grocery stores.”
Agencies can contact the food bank and request food for members of the community. Many grocery stores donate produce and other perishable items to the food bank.
Gober said, “These agencies then distribute the products to their clients or patrons that find themselves in need.”
The Concho Valley Food Bank connects eligible people with state services, as well.
Social services manager, Andrea Eaton, said, “We help people apply for everything from SNAP program to Medicaid and Medicare savings program. Anything that can be found at yourtexasbenefit.com.”
The food bank will be hosting its next food distribution in October at Foster Communications Coliseum.