The STFB, member of Feeding Texas (formerly Texas Food Bank Network) and the national organization Feeding America, now serves an eight-county area from Del Rio (Val Verde County) to Rio Grande City (Starr County), helping an average of 27,000 families, 7,000 elderly and 500 veterans and their widows per month.
Also, served are an average of 1,500 children that includes 2,500 meals
Monday through Friday in the Kids Café program at 19 sites, including one at the Seco Mines Community Center.
STFB executive director Alfonso Casso noted the needy of Maverick County received 925,561 pounds of food in 2013 which is equivalent to
about $3.4 million at retail value. The county’s contribution is shared maintenance to offset these benefits was $38,523.
“I think it is agreed that it was a good return on the investment,” Casso said. Romelia Cardona of Eagle Pass is a valued member of the South Texas Food Bank board, led by president Anna Benavides Galo. Another Eagle Pass native,
Olga Fernandez Maldonado, an AEP executive in Laredo, is a former STFB board member and past president.
Sixty percent of the annual STFB budget comes from government sources
and the other 40 percent from grants, private donations and fundraisers. STFB board member and Empty Bowls chairperson Leslie
Benavides highlighted the importance of fundraisers like Empty Bowls.
She noted, “For the past 25 years, the South Texas Food Bank has been
providing to those in need of food assistance. The STFB is blessed to receive grants, corporate donations and individual gifts. Our ability to provide assistance also depends largely on the kindness of good-hearted patrons. We are a non-profit organization and fundraising plays an important part.”
It was through the efforts of State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), a former Empty Bowls honoree, that the South Texas Food Bank made a contact with the Beaumont Foundation. She said, “The Beaumont Foundation has been a true friend of the South Texas Food Bank. The (Wayne A.) Reaud family understand the need of people. They have donated $9.2 million to food banks, including more than $500,000 to the South Texas Food Bank.”
And about the entertainment, the baby boomer Zaffirini beamed, “I’m
excited about the Commodores bringing the energy of Motown to Laredo …… And my favorite, “Three Times A Lady. We invite Laredo and the area out for a great night.”
The Commodores are legendary, beginning at Tuskegee Institute in 1968.
They were discovered by Berry Gordy while they were the opening act
of the Jackson 5. They went on to sell more than 60 million records over two decades – the 70s and 80s.
The Commodores racked up a string of hits including Three Times A Lady, Machine Gun, BrickHouse, Sail On, Oh No, Slippery When Wet, To Hot Ta Trot and many others.
Sponsorship tables of 10 that include dinner and access to silent auction items are available. A special sponsorship this year is the Anniversary Sponsor at $25,000 in honor of the 25th anniversary.
The others remain at Diamond $20,000, Platinum $10,000, Gold $5,000, Silver $2,5000 and Bronze $1,500. Individual table tickets are $150.
Table tickets are available at the South Texas Food Bank office, 1907 Freight at Riverside or by calling (956) 726-3120 or (956) 324-2432. Concert only tickets are $10, $15 and $25 and available at the LEA box office and via ticketmaster.
Casso expressing the urgency of feeding the hungry, “Can anyone imagine how things would be if we were not here as a safety net?
We can’t turn our backs on our fellow neighbors and friends who need help. Empty Bowls helps us to continue our mission.”
Casso added, “We are hoping Maverick County residents come to Laredo
on Aug. 22, enjoy themselves at the concert and help their neighbors in need. Laredo and Eagle Pass have always had close ties as fellow border cities and we are hoping that continues especially when it comes to charitable events like Empty Bowls.”