The new logo for Coastal Bend Food Bank, formerly Food Bank of Corpus Christi. The food bank serves 11 counties and has been in operation for 35 years.
The Food Bank of Corpus Christi is no more, but don’t panic. Only the name has changed to better reflect its outreach. The mission remains the same for the newly named Coastal Bend Food Bank, which helps fight hunger in 11 counties in and around Corpus Christi.
At a ribbon-cutting announcing the new name Wednesday, Sept. 6, Executive Director Bea Hanson said the organization has distributed 10,000 pounds of food over the last year.
“That was before the hurricane,” she said. “I don’t even know what’s going to happen this year with all the food we have been distributing now.”
She called the gathering a celebration for three reasons.
First, the food bank is celebrating 35 years of providing food and nutrition education to Coastal Bend families.
Second, September is known nationally as Hunger Action Month, a time the food bank has traditionally used to raise awareness of hunger and nutritional needs in the area.
“Every year, we try to bring awareness to the fact that in this very rich country of ours, unfortunately, there are people who are hungry,” she said.
Third, the food bank is celebrating its name change, which more closely reflects the area served.
“The board of directors felt it was very important that we represent the whole area we serve,” Hanson said, “and we serve 11 counties.”
The week after Hurricane Harvey, the food bank went beyond its boundaries to serve families in Victoria. The local food bank there was unable to reach all its families and called on the Corpus Christi organization to help.
“We had the resources; we had the food trucks,” Hanson said. “The food bank in the Rio Grande Valley showed up here to help us, too.”
She praised the staff for its dedication and hard work in the aftermath of the Category 4 storm.
“I call my staff heroes; they work so hard,” she said. “Some worked 12-hour shifts; some stayed overnight getting ready for our reopening on Saturday (Sept. 3) and organizing the warehouse to get food to people.”
The Coastal Bend Food Bank is located at 826 Krill St. Call (361) 887-6291 to find out how you can help by either making a donation, attending a fundraiser or volunteering in the warehouse.
