Commodity Supplemental Food Program
EPFH started providing healthy food to 5,000 extremely low income senior citizens in our community on a monthly basis.
Through this Commodity Supplemental Food Program, senior citizens have the opportunity to have healthy foods and help maintain their health.
The seniors selected for this program generally earn $400 to $600 a month. Too often, these vulnerable seniors have to make difficult decisions between paying for rent, utilities, medicines and food.
National School Lunch Program
EPFH proudly obtained the Texas Department of Agricultures highly competitive contract to manage the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program . Through this program, EPFH services 185,000 low-income children across 182 schools in seven West Texas counties, including El Paso, Culberson, Hudspeth, Brewster, Jeff Davis, Reeves and Presidio Counties.
With the volume of food reaching schools in West Texas dropping an unprecedented 50% over the past two years, and child food insecurity on the rise, this partnership between EPHF and the Texas Department of Agriculture could not be more urgent.
Feeding Americas 2019 Map the Meal Gap indicates food insecurity nationally for children was 14.6 %. The seven West Texas counties included in the Free Breakfast Free Lunch Program have distressing rates of childhood food insecurity averaging 24.8%, with Culberson and Presidio Counties as high as 34.6% & 34.7% respectively more than double the national average pre-pandemic.
El Paso Food Banks And Shelters Beg Biden For Help Under Strain Of Influx Of Migrants
Kind-hearted volunteers running food banks and shelters in the border town of El Paso are begging the Biden administration to help them ease the crisis they have created by allowing thousands of migrants to enter the country every week.
The crisis at the border is escalating to such an extent that 1,050 migrants, predominantly from Venezuela, are arriving every day. They are overwhelming the town, whose residents have always welcomed migrants and provided them with food and resources but who are now struggling to keep up with the demand.
In an impassioned plea for help on Wednesday, the CEO of the Rescue Mission of El Paso, a religious shelter which welcomes the homeless, said no one from Washington DC had been in touch.
He said the sheer volume of people turning up every day is straining the shelter, and that staff fear they cannot feed and clothe everyone who needs it.
The food banks have bare shelves and shelters are bursting with beds. Cots have now been set up in the chapel at the rescue mission to accommodate the extra people.
Also Check: What To Donate To Food Bank
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Helping Keep Migrants Fed During Ongoing Surge
EL PASO, Texas – Volunteers with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank have been helping migrants by making sandwiches and packing lunches.
CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Susan Goodell told ABC-7 that her staff, volunteers and workers from Americorps are doing what they can to help migrants and the people of El Paso, but are struggling with staffing and donation shortages.
“To operate optimally, we need about 40 volunteers in the morning and 40 volunteers in the afternoon, and we are nowhere near that number. So we are patching it together with a very small staff,” said Goodell.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the food bank can visit think link for more information.
On Monday, a spokesperson from Border Patrol told ABC-7 that the El Paso sector is now seeing about 1,500 migrant encounters per day in the month of September, an increase from last week’s report of 1,300 a day.
A majority of these migrants are coming from Venezuela, and travel days, sometimes weeks, to the United States.
The City of El Paso said they have chartered 63 buses full of migrants to other cities across the country since August 23rd. That includes 59 buses to New York City and four buses to Chicago.
Food Pantry In El Paso Texas
A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in El Paso, Texas distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.
There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.
Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.
Also Check: Food Bank Of North Alabama
Kelly Center For Hunger Relief
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Join us Saturday, October 22nd from 9 am – noon for our Halloween Health Fair! Enter raffles, take photos at our Halloween Photo Booth and have your kids compete in our costume contest – while picking up important health information and getting free health screenings!
Very friendly and helpful staff. They provide good quality food when you are in need.
Lots of cheerful helpful volunteers. I wish I could volunteer but am unable.UPDATE Yesterday, a frustrated volunteer made me feel bad by throwing a melon into a box meant for me. It is probably an aberration, but I think it needs to be mentioned. Maybe they need more volunteers to lessen interactive pressures.
Very nice people and lots of good food. They do a great service to the community. I don’t know what I would do without them
Iheart Media’s Fall Fundraiser: Buy The Box
Give back to your community this year. “Buy the Box” Fundraiser is raising awareness and monetary donations for the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger. A way to encourage and incentivize monetary donations over physical donations to the Food Bank, “Buy the Box” is a nod to the tens of thousands of boxes of food EPFH provides to our city weekly. Instead of giving a can good, “Buy the Box”.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bankbecause no one should go hungry
Give an online donation, or join us in feeding our community by becoming a monthly giver. For every $1 donated, we can provide 7 meals. For example, your $20 a month translates into 140 meals for children, elderly and others who are hungry.
EPFH serves El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson Counties. Since the pandemic began, the food bank has provided more than 1 million in emergency food distributions. Distributions include healthy groceries including protein, dairy products, grains, fruits and vegetables.
Every dollar you donate can provide up to seven meals for families right here in the borderland.
Donate now and give back to our community this holiday season
Also Check: Does The Food Bank Take Expired Food
Food Donations To Help Feed Families This Thanksgiving
Non-perishable foods are especially welcome during the holiday season.
As Americans get ready for the holiday season, millions will turn to food donations and assistance from organizations to help get meals on the table.
Over 33 million Americans lived in food-insecure households last year, with 8.6 million adults living in very low food security households, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition data. According to the agency, food-insecure households are defined as households that are “uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food.”
How Does A Food Pantry Work
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.
Our vision is simpleâbring financial security, dignity, and savings to the millions experiencing financial stress.
Quick Links
Read Also: Food Bank Donations Tax Deductible
St Vincent De Paul Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around El Paso, Texas much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.
It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.
We have located 2 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in El Paso, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
El Paso Texas El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Has Closed Its Food Farmacy That Specialized In Serving Seniors And Their Families
The Food FARMacy provided food to low-income seniors in a grocery-store-like setting. On average, this facility served 450 senior families a day.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger said they closed the Food FARMacy program for several reasons.
Demand for food remains high coming out of the pandemic, but funding has decreased, officials said.
Inflation has increased cost for food and transportation, and there is also greater competition among food banks for food, money and resources, they added.
Finally, the center had a shortage of volunteers.
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Recommended Reading: Regional Food Bank Of Oklahoma City
How To Volunteer For Food Banks This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, food pantry or food bank.
Between assembling Thanksgiving meal boxes or serving food at a Thanksgiving dinner, there are a lot of ways to help families in need make the holiday special.
Click here to locate volunteer opportunities through one of the many partners with Feeding America.
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Alex Hinojosa is an El Paso freelance journalist and a mass communications instructor at El Paso Community College.More by Alex Hinojosa
Don’t Miss: How Do Food Banks Help The Community
Food Bank Locations El Paso
There are several locations around El Paso where people can get food relief.»
What is a food bank?
A food bank is at the top of the distribution chain of food storage and distribution. They collect the food and then distribute it to various food pantry locations in El Paso whereby they in turn distribute the food to individuals in need. Food banks use pantries and other food relief charities to distribute for them and usually do not themselves give out food directly to people struggling with hunger.
U.S. food banks are all different, ranging from small operations to very large facilities that store and distribute millions of pounds of food each year. In El Paso, there is one primary food bank, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger , and it is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief network. EPFH is the distribution center for over 132 pantries throughout the borderland southwest, including churches, schools and shelters. They also work along with other hunger initiatives that assists in SNAP. Food banks rely on donors and volunteers to carry out their day-to-day operations.
Food Bank Locations by West, Central and Northeast:
Other Food Bank Locations:
Map of Food Pantry Locations
Questions & Answers About Visiting a Food Pantry
Making the decision to visit a food pantry can be a tough one. Many people who are in need of food relief do not seek the assistance they need because of fear, embarrassment or pride. Here are some myths and facts about pantries.
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2022
Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.
Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.
We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in El Paso, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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El Paso Texas El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Saw Hundreds Of People Line Up For Their Holiday Feast All Day Wednesday
Volunteer coordinator for EPFH, Sofia Valenzuela said they are seeing new customers at the food bank every day.
Just on Wednesday they had over 1,300 people come get their meals.
We have noticed that as a result of inflation and food shortages that we are dealing in our community, we have noticed an increase in demand and therefore an increase of people that we receive during the week, said Valenzuela.
The organization is always in need of volunteers to help distribute the food, especially during holidays.
Valenzuela said anyone can sign up or make a donation to help feed those in need.
The food bank will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will resume with regular hours the following day from 9 a.m. to 4 pm.
You can sign up to volunteer or make a donation by visiting El Pasoans Fighting Hunger website.
For local and breaking news, sports, weather alerts, video and more, download the FREE KTSM 9 News App from the Apple App Store or the
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501 food pantry operated around El Paso, Texas almost entirely by volunteers.
It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.
We have located 0 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in El Paso, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank
- ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON YOUR TABLE?WE CAN HELP! ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON YOUR TABLE?WE CAN HELP! Find a pantry or distribution in your neighborhood.Click below for a list of Partner Agencies.
- Are you unable to pick up food? Home Delivery EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK CONTINUES OPERATION TO ENSURE VULNERABLE CITIZENS GET THE FOOD AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED!
Mobile Client Choice Pantries
EPFH uses its refrigerated trucks in collaboration with partner agencies to distribute nutritious food to a minimum of 100 families per site who live in under served or unserved neighborhoods.
Unlike most hunger relief programs where individuals are handed a pre-packed box of food, client choice allows individuals the opportunity to shop for food to be used in their homes.
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Foods To Donate For Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year for food banks looking to add healthy, non-perishable items to their already in-demand essentials.
Feeding America suggests adding the following items to your donation lists and grocery carts: boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, dry macaroni, cranberry sauce and canned pumpkin.
Although it’s the main dish of a Thanksgiving table, Feeding America reminded interested donors to hold off on including turkey. The Feeding America network collaborates with restaurants, caterers and manufacturers to donate leftover foods like turkey, which are guaranteed to be fresh and safe for families in need.
Similarly, skip sending in any fresh fruits or vegetables since those are highly perishable items. Many food banks work with farmers and corporate partners to help bring fresh produce to families before it goes bad, the organization said.
Who Can Visit A Drive
Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.
Only two piece of information is asked
- You Zipcode, and
- Number of people in their family.
You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.
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Learn More About The Food Bank
SO, THEN… WHAT IS A FOOD PANTRY, OR A SOUP KITCHEN?
Food pantries distribute non-prepared foods and other grocery items to needy clients, who then prepare and use these items where they live. They are primarily operated through referral systems, in which staff at nonprofit organizations screen clients and refer them to pantries operated by volunteers. In El Paso, local food pantries obtain their food from the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger and then in turn distribute to their own clients.
A soup kitchen prepares and serves hot meals.
WHAT IS A FOOD BANK?
A FOOD BANK IS A 501 NON-PROFIT HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES AS A CLEARING HOUSE TO SOLICIT, INSPECT, REPACK AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO THE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FOOD PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS AND SHELTERS THAT FEED THE OVER 131,000 PEOPLE IN NEED IN OUR REGION.
Salvation Army Food Pantry
The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.
The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around El Paso, Texas from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.
We have located 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in El Paso, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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El Paso Shelter Ceo’s Plea To Biden: Help Us Deal With The Crisis
As you have probably seen in the news, the Rescue Mission has faced additional challenges in the last two weeks. But each challenge is an opportunity to show Gods love to hurting people. The immigration processing center became so over-crowded that the government began loading migrants on busses and dropping them off in front of shelters. The Rescue Mission has received about 500 migrants. All of them are from Venezuela. They need showers, good clothes, and food.
We have all heard press reports about bussing migrants to different parts of the country. Here are the facts as I have seen them: Almost all of the migrants arrive with an idea of an ultimate destination. About 20% of them want to go to New York. The city has been chartering busses to New York to assist those desiring that destination. I am not aware of anyone being placed on a bus to New York who did not want to go there. Meanwhile, the number of migrants we have coming into El Paso is so large that it is overwhelming the housing and support services that the city is able to offer. Obviously, we need a well-coordinated, federal solution to this problem, but, so far, no one from Washington has asked our opinions.
Thank you and God bless you for sharing.
Blake W. Barrow, CEO of El Paso Rescue Mission
The Rescue Mission of El Paso has now set up cots inside its chapel to accommodate the thousands arriving every week.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the mission pleaded for more donations.