Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope TogetherSummer 2017

Your Gifts Help Fight Summer Hunger!

meals they need to survive...and to thrive.

In this issue of Comida Connection, you’ll meet a few of the children and families who your gifts have already impacted for the better — like the students at the Boys & Girls Club in Edinburg. On their behalf, I want to express my sincerest gratitude for your endless generosity and compassion.

As you read through the following pages, I hope you’ll see how much you’re helping ensure that local hunger relief moves forward. It takes a village to end summer hunger — thank you so much for being a part of this community of caring individuals!

Gratefully,

Terri Drefke Chief Executive Officer

Believe it or not, summertime is just weeks away, and that means we’re at the beginning at the hungriest season of the year. But there’s plenty of reason to be hopeful – and it’s mostly because of generous Food Bank partners like you.

Each summer, struggling families have trouble replacing the free breakfasts and lunches their kids normally receive in the school cafeteria. Your support often means the difference between full plates and empty stomachs for children whose parents or guardians have no real way to feed their kids on their own.

By donating to the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, you help solve summer hunger through programs like Operation Kid Pack and our growing number of local Kids Cafe locations. These initiatives, along with traditional pantry services, give children across the Valley access to the

OFFICERS PresidentAbel Orendain, Orendain & Dominguez,

Attorneys at Law

Vice PresidentMichelle Lea Zamora, Inter National Bank

SecretaryAndrea Rodriguez, DoubleTree Suites by

Hilton McAllen

TreasurerS. David Deanda, Jr., Lone Star National

Bank

Chief Executive OfficerTerri Drefke, Food Bank of the Rio Grande

Valley

MEMBERSLina Cantu Cruz, Sharyland ISD Cynthia EsquivelGerardo “Jerry” Jackson, Jackson Business

ConsultingTony Gonzalez, H-E-BYolanda Gonzalez, Wells FargoRobert Levier, AIM MediaJeana R. Long, Dykema Cox SmithCristobal Perez, USDA Farm Service

AgencyNorma Peña, La Mansion BallroomJaime Tijerina, City of Mission

Had it not been for your support of the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, she would likely have to choose between paying these bills and feeding her school-age daughter, Samantha.

“My medical expenses and aftercare were very high,” said Sylvia, tearfully. “This food has been a real benefit to me and my family.”

Because most of Samantha’s meals come in the form of free breakfasts and lunches in the school cafeteria,

Terri Drefke Chief Executive Officer

Sylvia is a mother, wife and cancer survivor. She’s been in remission for a number of months now, and as she reflects on all she’s been through in recent years, she’s very grateful to be alive.

But as often happens with cancer patients, there were major financial costs that came with Sylvia receiving the treatment she needed. In addition to being out of work for eight months following her diagnosis, she quickly found herself drowning in medical bills.

says Cristie Esparza, volunteer manager for Doctors Hospital at Renaissance.

Cristie and her teammates see the impact they’re making every time they finish a shift at the Food Bank. “The work we do changes us for the better,” she says.

In addition to helping the community in a positive way, volunteering at the Food Bank has been a great way to build teamwork and improve morale

among employees across the hospital’s network. Christie says it’s an uplifting activity and gives employees a tangible way to give back together.

“Volunteering at the Food Bank is fun for all and the right thing to do for the community that we care for,” says Christie.

We’re so grateful for the employees of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance for their generous gifts of time – your’re making a real difference!

Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg is a model corporate citizen. Five years ago, the hospital formed an employee volunteer program dedicated to promoting volunteerism for its employees in the Valley communities they serve.

Through the program, the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley was the beneficiary of 300 volunteer service hours last year alone.

“Hunger relief is something that our employees are passionate about!”

which closes during the summer, the food that Sylvia receives at St. Joseph the Worker in McAllen is a real lifeline. The groceries, which include plenty of healthy, kid-friendly items, are perfect for her growing daughter.

When asked about the future, Sylvia said she was hoping to find a new job — as long as she stays in remission. She’s not too picky about the work, she said she just wants to provide for her family any way she can.

Before walking back to her car, Sylvia took a moment to share her thoughts about what your compassion has meant to her and her family.

“Every little bit we get, we use,” said Sylvia, expressing her gratitude for the food she received. “We really love the fruits and vegetables.”

Volunteer of the Quarter: Employees of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance

“Every little bit we get, we use.”

Thank You for Helping Families and Children

Sylvia picks up food for her daughter at St. Joseph the Worker in McAllen

When the school year ends, community programs across the Valley are busy serving thousands of children in need of nourishing meals. Sabrina Walker-Hernandez, who administers the Kids Cafe at the main Boys and Girls Club in Edinburg, is one of many community leaders who rely on your support in order to feed these vulnerable students.

As someone who’s worked directly with the child hunger programs your gifts help fund, Sabrina knows from experience how vital — and appreciated — your generosity is to people here in the Valley. She’s reminded if this fact each time she greets the boys and girls who come by to receive food at the Club.

In Edinburg, Sabrina says that most of the children who rely on the Kids Cafe come from single-parent households struggling to make ends meet. For most of the kids Sabrina’s met over the years, the Kids Cafe is the best way to ensure children can avoid going to bed hungry.

P.O. Box 6251McAllen, TX 78502www.foodbankrgv.com956-682-8101

This summer, with the help of friends like you, children like Jose — pictured above — can count on balanced meals when they lose access to the free breakfasts and lunches provided at school. This means so much to the hardworking families served by the Kids Cafe Sabrina administers.

“Most parents that I know need their children in this program,” said Sabrina. “For many, this is their evening meal.”

Thanks to your generosity, friends like you ensure the club can provide up to 260 meals a day, plus an additional 100 to satellite Clubs elsewhere in the community. In addition to these meals, a number of boys and girls also receive Operation Kid Packs full of weekend groceries, ensuring they have plenty to eat when the Club is closed.

Connect with us online

Like “Food Bank RGV” or follow us @foodbankrgv

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Mango Orange Banana Sunrise Smoothie

This healthy smoothie is the perfect way to take advantage of ripe summer fruits. If the fruit is cold, the ice-cubes are optional. If the fruit is at room temperature and you do not have ice-cubes, cut all the fruit and place in the freezer for 20 minutes to chill before blending. To pre-pack this smoothie, cut all the fruits and freeze in ziplock bags.

Ingredients:1 cup cubed peeled ripe mango1 small orange, tangerine or clementine,

peeled and sliced1 banana sliced1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt1/2 cup ice cubes (optional, see note

above)

Directions:Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for 2 minutes until thick, creamy, and lump free. Check consistency and add more ice if needed. Enjoy!

157 CaloriesPrep time: 5 minsServes: 2

Hunger June 15, 2017 1 day fundraiser

partnering with KGBT CH 4 and Wild 104/

iheart radioEmpty Bowls

September 19, 2017 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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