CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 A $7,000 holiday donation from renewable energy company Sunscape is helping the Coastal Bend Food Bank bring food directly to families in Banquete, a rural community that lacks regular access to a food pantry.<\/p>\n
$7K holiday donation helps feed families in Banquete<\/p>\n
The donation will fund a mobile pantry program that delivers boxes of groceries to Banquete once or twice a month through a drive-through system.<\/p>\n
“There was a school that had a pantry there but since then has closed,” said Bea Hanson, executive director of the Coastal Bend Food Bank.<\/p>\n
The timing of the donation is crucial for the organization, which has faced financial challenges this year.<\/p>\n
“In the past we’ve depended on mostly donations but this year we’ve been purchasing food to fill the blanks,” Hanson said.<\/p>\n
Several rural areas across the Coastal Bend face similar food access challenges, particularly affecting seniors living on fixed incomes who have remained in their communities after retirement.<\/p>\n
“During the holidays when you don’t have enough it’s a hard time, you lose hope,” Hanson said.<\/p>\n
The mobile pantry boxes contain a variety of items including protein, fresh fruit, vegetables and bread. Each box is carefully inspected before distribution, with staff checking every item that comes through the facility.<\/p>\n
The donation’s impact extends beyond individual meals. For every dollar the food bank receives, they can provide four meals to families in need.<\/p>\n
Popular items include mac and cheese and pasta, which Hanson notes can stretch far for families.<\/p>\n
“A family can make many things out of this one package,” Hanson said.<\/p>\n
For families in Banquete, the donation represents more than just food assistance.<\/p>\n
“This money will not only bring food, but hope to the community as well,” Hanson said.<\/p>\n
The Coastal Bend Food Bank expects to roll out the mobile pantry in early 2026. They continue to accept food donations and volunteers year-round, emphasizing that any contribution makes a meaningful difference in the community.<\/p>\n
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n