“We’ve been in existence for 34 years, since 1988. And it’s like we’re the best-kept secret in New Braunfels,” SOS Treasurer Kathy Lehmann said.
SOS is funded primarily through private and corporate donations and through its partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank in which it sometimes purchases food at a reduced cost. SOS sees around 500 clients monthly, which make up a diverse population including veterans, seniors, the homeless and families.
Lehmann volunteers through the Eastside Baptist Church.
“I think universally, everybody ... is part of our teams and part of our organization because we want to help people,” Lehmann said.
SOS will provide food to those on an emergency basis and also offers monthly grocery pickup services. The staff takes on a personalized approach to fulfilling the needs of their clients by allowing them to choose certain items, making sure they have enough food for the members of their household and taking the time to separate donated items into reasonable quantities.
“It’s not a big burden on any one individual church or team because we have enough people that we can split [the responsibilities], but we’re always open to more volunteers,” Lehmann said.
Currently operating in an 1,800-square-foot space that contains its office, warehouse, food sorting and donation drop-off, SOS has expansion plans. In order to better meet the needs of the growing New Braunfels area, SOS plans to move into a new office building and build a 3,000-square-foot warehouse next to its existing location by March 2023.
“It’ll just help us to be able to expand our operation from the standpoint of serving more people,” Lehmann said.
Spirit of Sharing Food Bank
256 W. Merriweather St., New Braunfels 830-629-3663 • www.sosfoodbankinc.org
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 1-4 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun.
