Houston Food Bank

Houston Food Bank asking for help
SOURCE: http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou080925_rm_houstonfoodbank.ae62fdf5.html
09:08 AM CDT on Thursday, September 25, 2008
By Alex Sanz / 11 News

HOUSTON – The Houston Food Bank is asking for help as they try and feed the many empty stomachs affected by Hurricane Ike.

The food bank says they do not have not enough food to supply the need across the area.

John Norris, from St. Anne Catholic Church, says he has seen a increase in need in his Tomball neighborhood.

“There is a great deal of emotional trauma, especially from those who have come to us looking for help who have had their trees into their homes,” Norris said when asked about conditions in the north and west side of Houston.

The Houston Food Bank helps provide about 80 percent of the food served in meals Norris distributes trough his pantry program.

He is urging people to support the Red Barrel program by donating a bag of groceries when shopping in participating store.

To volunteer with the Houston Food Bank you can call 713-223-3700.

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Source: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community/community&id=6397023

9/18/08:

Individuals and businesses can donate food, water and essential items by dropping them off at their facility. The most needed items are: Canned tuna or chicken, packed in water, canned stews and pasta with meat (easy on salt and fat) Peanut butter Canned fruits in light syrup, natural applesauce 100% juice in cans or boxes (no glass, please) Canned vegetables, tomatoes, tomato sauce Soups with meat and/or beans, meal-in-a-can (easy on salt and fat) Cereals and cereal bars (easy on sugar and fat) Pasta, spaghetti, macaroni, noodles Packages of dry beans

** Please choose plastic containers or canned items rather than glass

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The Houston Food Bank needs volunteers to put together food packages and pass them out. They say the need for volunteers will continue for weeks. Some volunteer positions can be done by children as young as 8 years old, though they need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Some basic rules to know before you go:

- Wear closed-toe shoes.
- No dangly jewelry or loose clothing.
- Personal items are not allowed in the warehouse, so leave purses and bags at home.

More information about volunteering can be found at:

http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteer.aspx

Call 713-223-3700 for more information, or simply show up to work.

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EMERGENCY HURRICANE RESPONSE

The Houston Food Bank is open with normal business hours. The Houston Food Bank is working hard to provide relief to families and individuals. We are supplying food and other necessities to our partner agencies and to temporary shelters.

We Need Your Help
To keep up with the growing need for food, we must obtain funds to purchase truckloads of urgently needed, high-demand items. We are also in need of volunteers to process and distribute these items.

We also must replenish our supplies quickly to prepare for future disasters and to make sure we have enough food for struggling families here in our community and throughout the year.

Thank you for your compassion in this time of great need.

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The Houston Food Bank is a private Non-profit organization
founded in 1982. Today, the food bank feeds the hungry by
distributing 38 million pounds of food each year to nearly
400 hunger relief agencies in 18 counties in southeast Texas.
They played a major role during the 2005 hurricane season.

Agency Services 713-547-8617 Terence Franklin
Financial Contributions 713-547-8623 Olivia Siner-McDaniel
Food Industry Donations 713-547-8662 Nicholas Spencer
Food Services 713-547-8644 Terri Moore
Nutrition Services 713-547-8663 Catalina Quesada
Special Events 713-547-8670 Margaret Anne Ryburn
Tours 713-547-8608 Oneika McCarthy
Volunteer Opportunities 713-547-8657 Volunteer Services
Communications/Media Relations 713-547-8653 Betsy Ballard