Food Bank

A question most asked is: where does all the food come from?

At His Hands Ministries we have been assigned a district by the Rio Grande Food Bank. They have a large facility and all donations go there from retail stores, grocery stores, food producers, farmers, and the government. H.E.B., one of the largest grocery stores in Texas, donate all their day old bread and bakery items and best before products. Our food is ordered from the Rio Grande Food Bank’s central warehouse. We pay a handling fee that varies from 5-19 cents a pound for canned, frozen and dry goods. The bread, bakery items, and fresh produce are picked up on Fridays and there is no fee for these items.

When we receive the food at our pantry, it is dated and stored in our walk-in cooler, freezers and storage area. Our volunteer staff sort and bag the food ready for the families to pick up on distribution day, which is twice a month. Our schedule on “food day” involves registration, a government requirement that we record and document all families receiving food. A monthly report to the Rio Grande is also required. We are inspected on a regular basis to ensure all food is being stored properly, fridge and freezers must be up to standard and all family records must be in order.