In these difficult economic times, everyone is looking for a safe place to invest. Here in San Antonio, we are lucky to have an organization that promises a 1,300 percent return on your investment. The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization and is quite possibly the most efficient non-profit in our area. For every $1 the San Antonio Food Bank receives, it is able to distribute $13 worth of food and grocery products to families and individuals in need. That is an incredible return!
When Eric Cooper, executive director of the San Antonio Food Bank, arrived in San Antonio in 2001 his task at hand was to rebuild an organization that for years seemed to have no apparent direction. The Food Bank was distributing a little more than 14 million pounds of food in a city where the need was much greater.
Cooper was no stranger to raising venture capital. Prior to entering the non-profit world, he was a part of two start-up companies and holds a degree in business administration. It was a life experience that opened his eyes to the unmet needs of the community that led him to a life of service.
From the onset, Cooper provided much-needed guidance for the struggling organization. He envisioned a non-profit that was run like a business and formulated a strategic plan that would earn the San Antonio Food Bank the respect of the San Antonio community.
Part of the Food Bank's strategic plan included the building of a brand new facility that would allow the Food Bank to grow in capacity and programs. In 2007, the San Antonio Food Bank moved into its new state of the art facility on Highway 151. The new warehouse boasted larger space and more racking, an in-house kitchen, and more loading docks. It also had enough land for a community garden which now produces thousands of pounds of fresh produce and herbs and is managed by Food Bank staff and volunteers.
Innovation and experimentation continues to bring success to the San Antonio Food Bank. In 2002, the Food Bank launched its Food Stamp Outreach Program becoming the first Food Bank in Texas to do so. Now it is helping thousands of families each month navigate through the system and receive federal benefits and is the largest federal benefits outreach program in the country.
Recently, as Food Banks across the country started seeing a decline in donations from food manufacturers, the San Antonio Food Bank looked to expand its retail routes and collect more fresh and perishable product from our area retailers – a strategy that is now a part of a national food bank strategic plan.
The San Antonio Food Bank received affirmation for all its efforts when it was named 2007-2008 Food Bank of the Year by Feeding America, the nation's food bank network. The award honors food banks that go above and beyond the core mission of feeding the hungry.
"To be selected from among 200 member food banks and receive this honor was incredible," Cooper said. "We strive for excellence and efficiency and it was great to be recognized by our peers who truly understand what we deliver."
Today, the San Antonio Food Bank is the 14th largest food bank in the country and is distributing more than 36 million pounds annually. It has 14 programs that not only distribute food through partner agencies, but also provide direct services and educational programs such as Culinary Training and Nutrition Education.
"Successful businesses have a great product at a great value. The Food Bank provides nourishment and education to 25,000 people every week by leveraging gifts and keeping administration costs low," explained Cooper. "We are a building block in the recovery process – whether it's overcoming poverty or a disaster, it's more than just food. We feed, educate, and train. We're transforming lives every day. We're fighting hunger and feeding hope."
