Author: Micaela Calderon-Stewart

Community

Share your Christmas Food Drive back to help community

Micaela Calderon-Stewart

The Coastal Bend Food Bank and KIII-TV are once again teaming up for the Annual Share Your Christmas Food Drive on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to ensure families across the Coastal Bend have food on their tables this holiday season. From 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. donations will be accepted at the Coastal Bend Food Bank located at 5442 Bear Lane and KIII-TV studios located at 5002 S. Padre Island Drive. Now in its 38th year, this community tradition collects nonperishable food and monetary donations that provide meals to families across its eleven-county service area each holiday season. As the cost…

Featured

Coastal Bend Food Bank provides emergency relief for FCI Three Rivers families affected by the government shutdown

Micaela Calderon-Stewart

As of Oct. 23, it’s been 23 days since the federal government shutdown began, and lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement. With no resolution in sight, government employees across the nation are turning to food banks for support. According to the U.S. General Services Administration’s 2025 payroll calendar, government civilian employees who are expecting electronic deposits on Oct. 24 will miss their first full paycheck, a harsh reminder of the federal stalemate and its growing toll on working families in our communities.  In response to the growing uncertainty, the Council of Prison Local 4044 President Caleb French, reached out…

Campus, Community

Valdar’s Market partners with the Coastal Bend Food Bank for SNAP application event

Micaela Calderon-Stewart

Students at Heritage and Windward campuses received application assistance applying for SNAP food benefits and the Healthy Texas Women program during a two-day outreach event in partnership with Valdar’s Market and the Coastal Bend Food Bank’s Social Services team.  “Our goal is to inform and help as many students as possible with information on resources and application assistance,” said Viviana Flores, Social Services lead.  The outreach event was held on Sept. 23 -24. But for anyone who missed the event, there will be other opportunities. With the continued partnership between Valdar’s Markets and the Coastal Bend Food Bank, the Social…

Community

Help Fill Empty Racks at the Food Bank this Holiday Season

Micaela Calderon-Stewart

The Coastal Bend Food Bank is calling on the community to help fill their empty racks this upcoming holiday season. According to Bea Hanson, executive director of the Coastal Bend Food Bank, they have seen a 20% increase in new neighbors seeking food assistance and anticipate a continued need through the end of the year, making holiday food drives more vital than ever.  “Our racks are emptying as quickly as they are filled,” says Hanson. “Each donation received, whether it’s a can of vegetables, a jar of peanut butter, or a box of stuffing, it makes a world of difference…

Features

Help these local food pantries fight hunger

Micaela Calderon-Stewart

For many students, Valdar’s Market is more than just a place to receive food assistance, it’s a lifeline.  “I was hesitant to sign up at first because I didn’t want anyone to judge me at what felt like the lowest, but all that went away when I walked in”, says Victoria Blanco, a student and full-time single mom to a little boy with special needs.  According to Feeding Texas, 1 in 6 Texans experience food insecurity, and that reality extends to college campuses, where 38% of students at two-year colleges struggle to access enough food. Hunger isn’t something that happens…