The Food Bank of Corpus Christi is an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that solicits and distributes food that might otherwise go to waste or be discarded by manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers. Since 1982,the Food Bank has been fighting hunger in the Coastal Bend by providing food and personal care products to various charity and service agencies in an 11-county area including Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces and San Patricio counties.

As one of only two food banks in the state certified by H-E-B to receive perishable goods, the Food Bank is able to store and distribute perishable items such as meat, produce and dairy products. USDA products are also dispensed to agencies that qualify to receive government commodities. Our 20,000-square-foot warehouse is equipped to safely handle all types of food products and includes a 43,758-cubic-foot refrigerator / freezer.

It is estimated that 19,000 people eat food from the Food Bank on any given week. Our agencies report that of all families served,

62% of the recipients are women
38% are children under age 18
16% are seniors 65 or older
38% are from households that have at least one adult working.
In 2004, the Food Bank distributed 4.5 million pounds of food.

How does the Food Bank of Corpus Christi get all the food and grocery items needed to carry out its mission?

Each year, about 20% of America's food supply - 140 million tons of food valued at more than $31 billion - goes to waste.
A variety of national, regional and local food manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and retailers donate food to the Food Bank. Donated food includes overproduced or discontinued items, frozen foods, dairy products, miss-labeled goods, dented cans, day-old breads, pastries and odd sized produce.

We receive donations from America's Second Harvest, our national network of food banks based in Chicago. America's Second Harvest works with major food companies such as Kellogg's Nabisco, and Kraft to name a few. This organization is in constant contact with manufacturers to secure substantial donations on a regular basis. When America's Second Harvest is offered a donation, they immediately fax detailed information about the offer to the Food Bank. The Food Bank accepts the offer and handles the transportation of the product from the manufacturer to the Food Bank's warehouse. This scenario happens several times a week.

The Food Bank of Corpus Christi is also supported by donations from companies such as HEB, local bakeries, growers, shippers and others. We also concentrate on food drives throughout the year with various organizations such as HEB, KIII-TV, the Lions Club, the National Association of Letter Carriers, and the Boy Scouts participating. We occasionally work with the DEA and other who may come across loads of confiscated produce.

The Texas State Associating of Second Harvest Food Banks has contracted the Department of Corrections. Prisoners grow rows of fresh vegetables for Food Banks in Texas. The program is called "Second Chance" and is working well for all involved; inmates get valuable training and people in need receive a chance to better nutrition.