Local nonprofit New Braunfels Food Bank works to fight hunger and feed hope

The New Braunfels Food Bank is a branch of the San Antonio Food Bank, which serves 29 counties throughout the Feeding America network. Originally founded in 2010 as The Kitchen Table, the NBFB has expanded to serve the growing community.

The NBFB assists around 7,000 individuals with the help of about 2,000 volunteers every month. Eric Cooper, President and CEO of the SAFB, said that the NBFB has been working hard to accommodate for the growth in population in New Braunfels.

“[New Braunfels] is such a fast-growing community that in those growing pains, not everybody is thriving, and the cost of real estate and the shortage of affordable housing has really put a pinch on many families to be able to pay their rent and have enough money to buy food,” Cooper said.

The NBFB takes a three-tiered approach to how it serves the community, Cooper said. It meets the immediate need of clients through the “Food for Today” strategy, in which it provides groceries or meals for the community. The food bank offers both grocery pickup and a full-service kitchen at the facility.

Its second approach is called “Food for Tomorrow,” in which the NBFB staff assists their clients in finding resources applicable to their needs through federal, state and local programs. Some of these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid or utility assistance.

The third tier of the approach is “Food for a Lifetime,” in which the NBFB assists the community member with workforce development, job training and job placement. Some of these resources include English as a Second Language and General Educational Development, or GED, classes as well as a culinary arts program.

Other services offered include job fairs to help connect people in the community and nutrition education.

“Families need to know that we’re here to help. Whether that’s food for the day, food for tomorrow or food for [a] lifetime,” Cooper said. “Those three resources are available for everyone if they’re needing assistance in putting food on the table.”