AUSTIN, Texas — H-E-B delivered a trailer of food to the Central Texas Food Bank on Tuesday to support vulnerable communities during the coronavirus outbreak. These efforts follow H-E-B's $1.2 million investment to Feeding Texas, the supermarket chain said in a press release.
"Any service or any help that we can get, we gratefully appreciate," said Derek Chubbs, Central Texas Food Bank president. "Our need for food and our hunger needs are going to increase."
H-E-B will deliver 15 truckloads of food and household supplies to several food banks around the state. H-E-B said it will work directly with food banks that are affiliated with Feeding Texas, a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization.
"H-E-B has been a tremendous partner, not only to our food bank, but food banks across the state of Texas and we are so happy that they are always here for us in a time of need," said Chubbs.
RELATED:
"We're really trying to reach communities that are in need right now. Those that maybe are disabled, the elderly, or maybe haven't had a chance to go to the grocery store because they're on a fixed income," said Felicia Pena, H-E-B public affairs.
"We have to be in a position to purchase more food. That is going to be challenging for us because we're typically donated about 60% of the food that we distribute. That food isn't necessarily available now," said Chubbs.
H-E-B is also working with other Texas food banks to provide support to children, seniors and low-income families.
The folks with H-E-B said as schools close, events are canceled and work hours are cut, food banks will see a rise in demand for resources.
"You've seen the grocery market shelves. If it's not there, it's difficult for them to donate it to us, which is why we're so excited about this H-E-B donation," said Chubbs.
H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works all year to raise awareness and battle hunger in Texas and Mexico. Last year, the program donated 32 million pounds of food to families in need, which come to approximately 25 million meals.
Since the program was founded in 1982, H-E-B has donated more than 1 billion pounds of food to 5,500 nonprofit organizations.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: