Food bankers and policy organizations from 24 Feeding America member organizations will gather for the Southwest Regional Food Bank Conference, hosted by the Central Texas Food Bank, on February 9 and 10.
The conference brings hunger relief organizations from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma to connect and share best food banking practices to help fight hunger.
“Until you have helped people satisfy their hunger they really can’t focus on the next steps in their life. If all they’re doing is trying to find a way to feed themselves or to feed their families how can they possibly spend time looking for a great job or getting the education that they need or the training that they need for a job?” Texas Capital Bank President in Austin, Kerry Hall, said. “For us it’s a basic need that has to be met in order for them to support their families.
Thanks to the generous underwriting from presenting sponsor, Texas Capital Bank (TCB), the conference will help Food Banks have the largest impact in their service territory. Though TCB is a commercial bank focused on providing financial services to businesses and entrepreneurs, they’re committed to helping the communities they serve by supporting nonprofits in Texas.
“With 1 in 6 Central Texans currently experiencing food insecurity, this organization is extremely important to ensure that our communities are vibrant, thriving and that everyone gets a helping hand to have a prosperous life,” Texas Capital Bank’s Assistant Vice President in Austin, Chris Rios, said.
The Dallas-based bank began working and volunteering with the North Texas Food Bank and expanded their philanthropic work soon after. With branches in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, TCB now serves more than 100 nonprofits throughout Texas.
“Our employees believe in supporting organizations that make a big impact on their community, so it made sense for us to partner with the Central Texas Food Bank because of all the good work it does for Central Texans,” Chris said.
Last week, Texas Capital Bank staff visited the Central Texas Food Bank to learn more about hunger relief in Central Texas and observed the community kitchen in action - repurposing donated and salvaged food to produce healthy meals for people in need.
With hunger gaps ranging from 16.8 percent in Oklahoma to 17.3 percent in Texas and 19.1 percent in Arkansas according to Feeding America, the conference allows food bankers to learn about development, marketing and communication practices from food banks as well as from the for-profit sector to help close the hunger gap.
“We thank all the supporters of this organization, all attendees of this conference for being here and we wish everyone the best in sharing ideas and working with each other to ensure that this mission thrives,” Chris said.
