West Texas Food Bank
Thank You for a Record-Breaking Stamp Out Hunger!
We could not be more grateful to our Letter Carriers with the U.S. Post Office for helping us gather a record-breaking amount of food in this year's Stamp Out Hunger.
We also want to thank our 140 volunteers; your enthusiasm, community spirit and sacrifice of your valuable time is inspiring.
And finally, thank YOU for donating canned goods. We collected over 110,000 pounds of much-needed food for hungry West Texans, that's over 10,000 pounds MORE than 2011!
Mark Your Calendar: Stamp Out Hunger is Saturday, May 12!
The nation's LARGEST food drive is fast approaching. On Saturday, May 12 place non-perishable food items (like canned tuna, beans, rice, cereal and peanut butter) in a sack by your mailbox and your Letter Carrier delivers it back to us!
Last year we collected almost 100,000 pounds of food and we hope to break that record this year!
We also need your help to sort through the canned goods coming into our warehouse on Saturday, May 12. We have shifts of two-and-a-half hours each in both Odessa and Midland locations. To sign up, please contact Zoe Tolbert at 432-580-NEED or email her at ztolbert@feedingamerica.org.
Golf Course Road Church of Christ Discovery School Walk-a-Thon
In the second year of the Golf Course Road Church of Christ Discovery School walk-a-thon, school organizers expected to bring in about $2,500. But the kids and their parents worked double time, it seems, because their grand total was over $5,500!
We could not be more thrilled, not only for the donation, but by seeing the school's little faces excited to give back to their community.
Thanks, Discovery School! You are all West Texas heroes!
UTPB Grants WTFB $2,000
The UTPB Students in Philanthropy Group awarded our Food Bank $2,000 -- that translates to 8,000 meals. Thanks, UTPB!
Pictured: Gabriella Salmon of SIP at UTPB with the WTFB Director of Finance Joey Ruiz.
Big Bend Sector of Border Patrol Raises $500
We'd like to thank the Big Bend Sector MWR for their $500 donation. That's 2,000 meals!
Pictured: Carlos DeLeon, Big Bend Sector MWR representative, with WTFB Grant Writer Mary Louise Lopez.
Thank you, Curves Odessa!
We couldn't be more thrilled about the results of Curves 14th annual Food Drive! The two Odessa locations that collected canned goods and dollars for us brought in almost $3,000 total!
Here are the results by location:
Curves West Country Road collected 647 pounds
Curves Parkway 1511 pounds
Awesome job, Curves ladies! Thank you!
Albertsons Souper Bowl of Caring Campaign Scores Big
Albertsons delivered 60,000 pounds of food and funds for a donation worth over $54,000!
Thanks to the Souper Bowl of Caring campaign, Midland/Odessa-area shoppers who bought pre-packaged grocery sacks helped stock our shelves with much-needed staples like cereal, tuna, and canned vegetables.
Thank you, Albertsons & Albertsons customers! Your kindness will brighten a family's day right here in West Texas.
The Paper Plate Hunger Project
Why are your neighbors hungry? Almost 800,000 individuals* needed our help last year. We wanted to know so we asked our Partner Agencies to have their clients write on simple paper plates the reasons they need the food provided by the West Texas Food Bank.
The answers may surprise you. Take a look at a sample of the plates on our PHOTOS tab above.
Think you know why your neighbors are hungry? Think again.
(Last names have been blurred or covered for privacy reasons.)
*duplicated count
FirstCapital Bank of Texas Gives Donation
FirstCapital Bank's Midland Market President Brad Bullock presents a check to West Texas Food Bank's Finance Director Joey Ruiz. Thanks to the support of FirstCapital customers during their Banksgiving event, they proudly made donations to food banks in each of the three markets they operate in.
Thank you, FirstCapital for giving back to West Texans in need!
Beaumont Foundation Grants WTFB $50,000
C. Edward Keller, COO of the Beaumont Foundation, presents WTFB Board President Christopher Upton with a check for $50,000 to be used for food distribution with our 170-plus Partner Agencies in West Texas.
Thank you, Beaumont Foundation!
AmeriCorps Workers Volunteer on MLK Day
Thank you to the Big Bend AmeriCorps volunteers who took a day off from their trail building duties in the national park to help us fill emergency food boxes for our hungry neighbors. What a wonderful tribute to Dr. King's legacy!
Would you or your group like to volunteer? Check out the drop down menu on our "Contact" page & find the location that's closest to you!
Sul Ross Men's Basketball Team Volunteers for a Slam Dunk
The Sul Ross State University Men's basketball team headed for our Alpine location to volunteer on January 13, helping to load the truck for the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend.
Thanks, guys!
Woodforest Charitable Foundation Makes Generous Donation
Thank you to James Larabee and Jason Stockton from Woodforest National Bank’s Big Spring branch, pictured with our Director of Finance Joey Ruiz (middle), for their generous donation over the holidays.
Without partners like you, we couldn't feed West Texans in need!
3S Services Provides 12,120 Meals!
Our Executive Director Augie Fernandes met with Brandon Webb, president and CEO of 3S Services and left with 12,120 meals!
Thank you, 3S for your cash & canned food drive! You are making a huge difference in the lives of your neighbors.
Thank you, JumBurrito!
JumBurrito's "Points Drive to End Hunger" totals are in!
They raised 112,816 Points = $5,640.80 for the West Texas Food Bank & Food Bank of West Central Texas. That's 22,560 Meals for hungry children, families and seniors!
Thank you JumBurrito and to all West Texans who participated in this campaign!
UTPB Student Senate Provides Over Half-Ton of Food
We are thrilled that the UTPB Student Senate chose WTFB as the recipient of their November food drive, in no small part because we knew their ingenuity would result in a huge donation. Boy, were we right!
In all, the students collected 1,194 pounds of canned goods for our Food Bank.
Thank you to all the students of UTPB and to the leadership of your Student Senate. The future for West Texas looks brighter already!
Odessa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Raises Funds & Food
Thank you to the ORMC Auxiliary, whose hard work raised $1,105 in funds and almost 600 pounds of food for WTFB-- that's over a quarter-ton of cans!
Because of their support, hungry West Texas families will see a holiday that's full of hope and health.
Great job, ladies!
Thank You Jackalopes for 700 Pounds of Food!
We couldn't believe our eyes when the Jackalopes arrived at WTFB's Odessa distribution center with a 700 pound food donation. Wow! Thanks, guys!
Hunger just got checked! Score one for the home team!
Thank you Hog Pit & Anchor Drilling Fluids for M.O. Blues for Food!
A huge thanks to everyone involved in the recent M.O. Blues for Food fundraiser held at the Hog Pit in Midland. The night of blues bands, BBQ and silent auctions brought in over 500 pounds of food and more than $4,000 to feed hungry West Texans. Wow!
Look for the event again next year to be even bigger! We can't wait!
Shown in the photo from left to right:
Shawnna & Cuarto Aaron from the Hog Pit, Pam Nelson and Ron Westenburg from Anchor Drilling Fluids, WTFB Executive Director Augie Fernandes, Blues for Food music organizer Neal Branam and community volunteer Gina Foster.
THANK YOU!
Valero's "Fill Up to Fight Hunger" Campaign Sees $56,361.82 Donation to WTFB
Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, and Valero, an international manufacturer and marketer of energy products and power, announced today that $3 million has been raised from the "Fill Up to Fight Hunger" campaign.
The campaign started April 4, 2011 and ended June 30, 2011, with the total amount of donations to local food banks depending on the amount of fuel purchased in that area. For each 8-gallon fuel purchase made at a participating Valero outlet, Valero donated $1 to the local food bank in that area.
For the West Texas Food Bank's service area of 22 counties, this campaign translated into a huge donation of $56,361.82. This is equal to 225,447 meals for our hungry neighbors.
Thank you, Valero, for your creativity and community spirit! We could not feed the children, elderly and families of West Texas without companies like yours.
One Warm Coat for West Texas Families
Brrrr! It's getting cold outside! How about donating One Warm Coat to Burlington Coat Factory so we can give them to our clients? The nationwide One Warm Coat promotion runs from October 28th thru January 16th and will also be featured on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Look for the donation box at the front of the store at Burlington and you'll get a 20%-30% discount coupon to use once you donate!
Thank you for our success at Culinary Canvas!
** Thank you to Bill and Linda Steward from Midland who, after attending Culinary Canvas, decided to donate an extra $1,000! Their check will be earmarked for the Fabens Community Food Pantry. We appreciate your generosity! **
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We need to thank everyone, from our sponors, to the restaurants, to our hosts for the evening, for their amazing support at our 2011 Culinary Canvas with B.J. Thomas!
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Western National Bank
CBS-7
Ref-Chem
Superior Optimization.
MASTER
Dutton, Harris & Co.
CHECKS
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Glast
Arden and Rosalind Redfern Grover
BENEFACTOR
First Choice Power Major Electric Medical Center Hospital
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PATRON
H-E-B Texas Heat of the Permian Basin
Henry Petroleum and Resources West Texas Peterbilt
Sewell Ford
Master Corporation
Johnson Miller
Saulsbury Foundation
Security Bank
APPRENTICE
Atkins, Hollmann, Jones, Peacock, Lewis & Lyon Inc.
First National Bank of Stanton
Community National Bank
Frame-A-Rama
Image and Dominion
Carl Jones
LCA, Inc.
Fort Davis Auction Company
Milam Felker Insurance
Don L. Parks
Permian Basin Area Foundation
Preferred Personnel
Randy Silhan, CPA
Thank you also to our participating restaurants & bakeries!
Buffalo Wild Wings
Big Daddy’s Grill
Johnny Carino’s Country Italian
Dickey’s BBQ
Fat Jack’s Bakery
The Garlic Press
Gerardo’s Casita Restaurant
H-E-B
Hooters
La Margarita Mexican Restaurant
Barn Door Steak House
Wall Street Bar and Grill
Zucchi’s Ristorante
Special thanks to:
Coca-Cola
Glazer’s Distribution
H-E-B Floral
Ready Ice
Standard Sales
Warren Cat
PBS Basin
WTFB Staff
WTFB Board of Directors
Finally, huge thanks must also go to:
*Jack Wood, CEO Western National Bank,
2011 Culinary Canvas Honorary Chairman
*MASTER OF CEREMONY Jay Hendricks, CBS 7
*Seminarian Francis of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church for the invocation
and
*B.J. Thomas for his terrific concert
See you next year!
Kraft Foods donates 20,000 meals!
On behalf of West Texas Food Bank "El Pasoans Fighting Hunger," thank you KRAFT for your donation of $5,000! This will help provide 20,000 meals to help families in need.
H-E-B donates $4,000 to Help End Hunger!
Thank you to our corporate partner H-E-B in Odessa for raising $4,000 through their Help End Hunger Campaign. That's 16,000 meals for hungry West Texans! We cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support!
Pizza Hut raises funds for El Pasoans in need
On behalf of West Texas Food Bank we would like to thank Pizza Hut/Sea World for donating $10,000 to West Texas Food Bank this will help feed 50,000 families.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/business/ci_18193834?source=email
West Texas Food Bank receives a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities!
"On behalf of Charity Navigator, I wish to congratulate West Texas Food Bank on achieving our coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management.
As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars. In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient charities such as your own, and provides donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make."
Click here to visit the Charity Navigator website.
Nondiscrimination:
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
Hunger:
A strong desire or need for food. (American Heritage Dictionary)
A weakened disordered condition brought about by prolonged lack of food. (Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary)
History
The West Texas Food bank was established by a small group of local concerned citizens in 1985 to address the critical issue of hunger in the West Texas area by securing donations of surplus foods and grocery products for distribution through a network of charitable organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry covering 45,000 square miles in 22 West Texas Counties.
Food.
There are three basic needs of life: clothing, shelter, and FOOD. For most of us, food is there... readily available. We just have to decide what kind we want. Food is something to munch, something to nosh, something to chew, something to scarf. It’s how much you want, whenever you want.
But unfortunately, for some people, food – of any kind – is NOT always readily available, and food – of any kind – is not something they can afford.
Maybe they’ve had a rough month. Maybe it’s been a rough life. There is too much month left at the end of the money.
Regardless, food is a basic human need, hunger is the most basic human urge – and the West Texas Food Bank has made it our mission to satisfy that need whenever and wherever we can in West Texas!
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