BLOG – New Braunfels Food Bank to expand fight against hunger this summer

AUGUST 2, 2017
Jennifer Alejos, Marketing Specialist

“The New Braunfels Food Bank is a 30,000 square foot building intended to help residents in need. It is slated to open this summer.”

The New Braunfels Food Bank is a new branch facility of the San Antonio Food Bank. This new space will increase our reach in the New Braunfels area and its surrounding counties such as Guadalupe County, and Comal County, that encompass our 16-county service territory. Construction will be completed this summer.

Since 2011, the San Antonio Food Bank has served the individuals and families in need from the region through the Kitchen Table, our client-choice food pantry. This type of pantry allows our clients to have the experience of shopping at a grocery store and choosing the food items that best suit their needs.

The shopping component of the Kitchen Table educates clients on healthy eating choices by using the USDA MyPlate guidelines. Similarly to the Food Bank, the Kitchen Table aims to nourish individuals through the accessibility to fresh produce options.

The program encourages customers to prepare healthy dinners and provide them with the resources necessary to do so. At the Kitchen Table, we offer job placement courses for those needing assistance, while volunteers teach Zumba and other fitness activities.

Clients are rewarded for attending fitness classes and cooking classes that are taught by our staff. Some incentives include extra grocery items on their next visit based on a point system.

At the New Braunfels Food Bank, we aim to provide more classes such as cooking, gardening, and eating together as a family. There will be a total of 20 classes with options for children and teens.

Our new branch will accommodate the growing population of New Braunfels, which has recently seen a rise in poverty and hunger. In 2016, it was reported that 13.8% of the population is food insecure, with one in three children being affected. The Kitchen Table currently serves about 1,000 individuals each week.
The building will contain a full kitchen, garden area, indoor greenhouse, event space, volunteer space, and offices where staff can discuss comprehensive solutions for those in need.

We cannot express how excited we are to bring relief to thousands of Texans in need and grateful to the generous donors who funded this new facility. We will keep you updated with further developments.