Corpus Christi (KIII News) — The Coastal Bend Food Bank is expecting to keep busy this holiday season, with the demand to end hunger at an all-time high.
"We have to provide healthy food and enough food for families to make meals," Food Bank Executive Director Bea Hanson said.
The Food Bank serves 11 counties in the Coastal Bend, fighting hunger by distributing food to families who need it most thanks to donations from the community.
"Everything that comes through the Food Bank has to be inspected. We have to check every fruit, every can, and make sure that it's intact," Hanson said.
In one month, more than 700,000 pounds of food can easily be distributed; and in one year up to 10 million pounds can be given to families in need.
"It takes a lot of volunteers. It takes a lot of hours of work, but it is very important," Hanson said.
The demand is not slowing down for the Food Bank, and that's why community support is everything. Through the upcoming Coastal Bend Day of Giving, which happens Nov. 13, the Food Bank hopes to raise enough funds to continue operations.
"The refrigeration, maintaining the trucks, and maintaining the forklifts is pretty costly," Hanson said.
Additional funds will also go toward programs that focus on nutrition to help keep families full and healthy.
"It has made a difference in the life of people like you won't believe. Extending the life of people and the quality of life of in people," Hanson said.
For Hanson, it's become more than just a mission but a personal satisfaction -- ending hunger with hope one family at a time.
"It's a way of giving and being a servant, and that really fulfills a need that I have," Hanson said.
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