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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, The San Antonio Food Bank is playing an increasingly |
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| 6 | 7 | | vital role during a time of unprecedented need; and |
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| 7 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SAFB has |
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| 8 | 9 | | increased food distribution by 30 percent in order to help the |
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| 9 | 10 | | rising number of people in financial distress; although health |
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| 10 | 11 | | measures have closed many of the organization's traditional sources |
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| 11 | 12 | | of food donations, including convention center restaurants, |
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| 12 | 13 | | hotels, and caterers, it has built new partnerships and drawn |
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| 13 | 14 | | support from the community in order for its kitchens to double the |
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| 14 | 15 | | number of people they feed weekly, from 60,000 to 120,000; and |
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| 15 | 16 | | WHEREAS, Founded in 1980, SAFB has grown to serve people |
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| 16 | 17 | | across Southwest Texas, with client service agencies in 16 counties |
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| 17 | 18 | | that distribute both perishable and nonperishable food items; in |
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| 18 | 19 | | 2017, it opened the New Braunfels Food Bank, which serves Comal and |
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| 19 | 20 | | Guadalupe Counties, and its Mobile Mercado brings locally grown |
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| 20 | 21 | | produce and other healthy foods to residents of food deserts; SAFB |
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| 21 | 22 | | cultivates 25 acres at its urban farm and an additional 50 acres at |
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| 22 | 23 | | the National Park Service's Mission San Juan Capistrano, a World |
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| 23 | 24 | | Heritage site, where it replicates traditional farming methods and |
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| 24 | 25 | | maintains a historic demonstration garden for visitors; and |
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| 25 | 26 | | WHEREAS, SAFB spends a mere two percent on overhead, allowing |
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| 26 | 27 | | it to devote 98 percent of its resources to its mission; while |
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| 27 | 28 | | addressing immediate needs, it also promotes long-term food |
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| 28 | 29 | | security and good nutrition through job placement and food and |
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| 29 | 30 | | wellness education; the organization's holistic approach to |
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| 30 | 31 | | nourishment encompasses programs for children and an initiative |
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| 31 | 32 | | that enables struggling families and individuals to continue caring |
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| 32 | 33 | | for their pets; and |
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| 33 | 34 | | WHEREAS, For more than four decades, the San Antonio Food |
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| 34 | 35 | | Bank has battled hunger in the area, and by redoubling its efforts |
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| 35 | 36 | | during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has made a |
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| 36 | 37 | | positive difference in the lives of thousands of Texans; now, |
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| 37 | 38 | | therefore, be it |
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| 38 | 39 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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| 39 | 40 | | Legislature hereby honor the San Antonio Food Bank for its service |
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| 40 | 41 | | and extend to all those associated with the organization sincere |
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| 41 | 42 | | best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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| 42 | 43 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 43 | 44 | | prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the |
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| 44 | 45 | | Texas House of Representatives. |
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