Rio Grande FeedingValley THE
SPRING 2023 Inside: Upcoming Events p. 2 | Mission Resource Center p. 3 | Children’s Programs p. 4
CEO CORNER
Chief Executive O cers
Connie Ramos
Libby Ann Saenz
Board of Directors
President
Linda Guerrero Deicla
Sinclair Digital RGV
KSCC-TV Fox 38
Vice President
Dr. Carlos Margo
South Texas College
Treasurer
Markus Villanueva
First Community Bank
Secretary
Kirsten Vinson
Vantage Bank Texas
Dr. Miguel Castillo, III
Beautiful Smiles
Cynthia Esquivel
G. Roman Esquivel, MD PA
Aissa I. Garza, PLLC
Forensic Accounting & Litigation Law Firm
Rabbi Claudio J. Kogan, MD, MBE, MEd
Linda Martin
H-E-B
Advisory Board
Norma Guevara
Radisson McAllen
Jeana R. Laguna
Laguna Law
724 N Cage Blvd
Pharr, Texas 78577
(956) 682-8101
foodbankrgv.com
CEO Letter
We are thrilled to report that the beginning of this year has been filled with exciting developments for the Food Bank RGV. We have introduced new resources for the public and begun work on projects that we are confident will make a significant impact in our community.
We are proud of what we have accomplished thus far, but we know that there is still much work to be done. Our team is committed to expanding our programs and outreach e orts to better serve our community and make a meaningful di erence in the fight against hunger.
As we move towards the summer season and the rest of the year, we want to express that we need your support now more than ever. We are grateful for the support we have received from you, our donors, and our volunteers, and we hope that you will continue to join us on our mission for the RGV. Whether it is through volunteering your time, making a donation, or spreading awareness about our cause, every contribution counts and helps us feed more children, families, seniors, and Veterans in our community.
Thank you for your unwavering support, and we look forward to continuing our work together to create a brighter future for the RGV.
Sincerely,
Connie Ramos
Libby Saenz Chief Executive O cer Chief Executive O cer
Upcoming Events
Don’t miss out on our upcoming fundraising events! Join us for Empty Bowls Lower Valley on June 24th at the historic Brownsville Market Square. This outdoor event will feature delicious foods from local Lower Valley restaurants. Our new event, “Ladies Night Out Bingo” in August, invites ladies to choose a theme, dress up with a group of friends, and enjoy a night of Bingo and entertainment. Our signature food-tasting event, Empty Bowls, on October 18th at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg promises to be the best one yet with more silent auction items and more restaurants. Visit our website at foodbankrgv.com or call us at 956-904-4535 for more information.
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Mission Resource Center
The Food Bank RGV’s Mission Resource Center had its grand opening on March 4, 2023, and is already making a positive impact in our community. This valuable resource provides a range of services to help individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet.
One of the key services provided by the Mission Resource Center is emergency food assistance. The center o ers a food pantry where families can come and receive groceries to help supplement their food supply. This service helps to ensure that families have access to healthy and nutritious food, even during di cult times.
In addition to emergency food assistance, the center also o ers a variety of other resources. The Food Bank RGV’s Mission Resource Center, has a social services department that can assist individuals in applying for benefits, for example SNAP, TANF, CHIP, Adult Medicaid, and Women’s Health. The Mission Resource Center also has a volunteer services department that helps connect community members with opportunities to give back, and nutrition education programming that teaches about healthy living and meal planning.
One of the great things about the Mission Resource Center is that it is a one-stop-shop for those in need. Instead of having to go to multiple organizations for di erent services, individuals and families can find everything they need in one place. This makes it easier and more convenient for those who may be facing multiple challenges.
At the Food Bank RGV, we believe that everyone deserves access to the resources and support they need to thrive. The Mission Resource Center is just one of the ways we are working to make a di erence in our community. We are proud to o er these valuable services and we are committed to continuing to find new and innovative ways to support those in need.
Corporate Sponsor Highlight: Humberto Tijerina
The Food Bank RGV would like to take a moment to highlight our Corporate Donor, Humberto Tijerina of the Tijerina Legal Group. Humberto Tijerina has been a longtime partner of the Food Bank RGV. “From helping remedy food insecurity in our community to easing the stress and potential su ering of families who are having a di cult time providing a meal during a crisis, the Food Bank is the place. If anyone seeks to help change lives, positively impact not only those in need but also contribute to the well-being of our community as a whole, supporting the Food Bank is an easy choice,” said Humberto Tijerina.
Mr. Tijerina and his sta volunteered on the front lines of our Drive Through Emergency Distributions during the height of the pandemic. Mr. Tijerina also has sponsored various events and continues to collaborate with the Food Bank RGV in fighting hunger in our Community.
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Children’s Programs Making a Positive Impact
Our food bank is actively working to address the growing need in our community, particularly through our children’s programming. Our “Ending Child Hunger” initiatives, including Operation Kid Pack, Kids Cafe, and the Kids Produce Market, all play a vital role in this e ort.
Operation Kid Pack has been successful in providing students with nutritious meals for the weekends, even when they are not in school. Children at risk of hunger are identified by their school counselor or teacher and then are provided with a five-pound bag of food and snacks that will provide nutritious food during the weekend.
Kids Cafe, in partnership with the local Boys & Girls Club, provides afterschool meals for students in need. “I like to eat here because they give us good foods, like sopa (soups) and especially macaroni! I like macaroni because it is yellow and it is soft so it doesn’t bother my loose tooth,” said Max, a seven-year-old participant in the program.
We are also very proud of our Kids Produce Market. This program o ers free produce to children and empowers them to select their own fruits and vegetables, promoting healthy eating habits and reducing childhood obesity. “We learn about good foods like fruits and vegetables,” said Arabella, a five-year-old participant in the Kids Produce Market. “It is nice that they give us free fruits to be healthy. I want to be healthy so I can be strong.” The Kids Produce Market provides a fun and engaging way for children to learn about healthy food choices and has now visited over 88 schools in the past year.
It is heartwarming to hear how much of a positive impact our programs are making on the lives of children in our community.
American Institute of Baking Facilities Rates Food Bank RGV “Superior”
The Food Bank RGV recently received a “Superior” rating from AIB, the American Institute of Baking Facilities, for our food safety practices. This prestigious recognition is only awarded to facilities that score in the top tier of AIB’s rigorous inspection process.
The inspection covers several critical categories, including operational methods and personnel practices, maintenance for food safety, cleaning practices, integrated pest management, and adequacy of prerequisite programs and food safety programs. We are proud to say that we scored exceptionally well in all these categories.
At the Food Bank RGV, we are committed to providing safe and nutritious food to our community. This “Superior” rating from AIB is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to ensuring the highest level of food safety and quality. We will continue to maintain this same level of commitment to food safety and quality, while we work towards ending hunger in our community.
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