Non-profit celebrates 40 years of impact upon Houston and southeast Texas
In 1982, Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking album “Thriller” was released, the first issue of USA Today was published, the popular film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial made its debut in movie theatres, and doctors performed the first implant of a permanent artificial heart. And closer to home, on March 8, 1982, the Houston Food Bank was established.
What began as the dream of a small group of visionaries has become the nation’s largest food bank in terms of distribution. In its first 40 years, the food bank has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals – men, women, children and senior citizens from all walks of life and income levels – in times of personal hardship and also during disasters. Around one million people in southeast Texas are food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to enough nutritious food to fuel a regularly healthy lifestyle. Hunger comes from prolonged food insecurity resulting in illness, discomfort and weakness. This is a situation that was made worse by the COVID pandemic.
“Forty years ago, when the Houston Food Bank was just beginning, the founders shared a vision of gathering food in a central location and distributing that nourishment to all who were hungry,” says Brian Greene, president/CEO of Houston Food Bank. “In the first year of operation, the food bank distributed an amazing one million pounds of food. Today, we distribute more than 200 times that amount annually.”
In its 40 years of serving Greater Houston and 18 counties in southeast Texas, the Houston Food Bank has distributed an astounding 1.9 billion pounds of food.
To mark this special milestone, Houston Food Bank will have various events throughout the year, including a special volunteer day celebration on March 8. Volunteers and staff will get a special welcome from the organization’s President/CEO Brian Greene and share a sweet treat at a sno cone truck provided by the Houston Texans; volunteers and visitors are welcome to take a special QR code tour of the facility to learn more about the organization and its operations; enjoy food bank trivia games and giveaways; and all are encouraged to do a special birthday selfie at the photo booth. Among volunteers on the birthday will be members of the Houston Food Bank Board Alumni.
Also, to celebrate the food bank’s 40 years of service, a small group of special donors is generously offering a special double match gift opportunity, including Fred G. Marshall participating in memory of his wife Linda Marshall. All online gifts made between March 1-8, 2022 can double, up to $125,000.
“As Houston Food Bank marks 40 years of serving Houston and 18 southeast Texas counties, we remember and appreciate all who have supported us and the neighbors we serve through generous donations of time, money, and resources,” says Greene. “We are thankful for our hard-working staff, past and present; our partners and their dedication on the front lines distributing food to the community; our amazing city that cares so much about its neighbors and is always willing to lend support; and to the generous companies and foundations who support the food bank throughout the year. Houston Food Bank is fueled by our donors and volunteers, and because of all of you, we are able to continue to serve families in need, providing food for better lives. It is an honor to have ‘Houston” in our name.”
To learn more about how Houston Food Bank has grown in its first 40 years, please visit www.houstonfoodbank.org/40years.