The San Antonio Food Bank is stocked with 4 million pounds of food at any given time, but turns this quantity over quickly to make room for more food that will eventually make its way to 535 distribution sites. President and CEO Eric Cooper said that every year the food bank pushes 50 million pounds of food to people in 16 counties.
"That's about six to seven semi truckloads a day that will come in and go out through the food bank,” said Cooper.
The Food Bank receives all kinds of donations, from canned green beans to boxes of rice, but Monday it got something a little different: 8,000 boxes of Twinkies, Ho Hos and Zingers from the now-discontinued Hostess Brands.
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"They had some existing inventory,” Cooper said. “They wanted to donate to those in need and so two and a half truckloads of wonderful Hostess products."
The Hostess distribution center in San Antonio had leftover stock, and since negotiations failed to keep the baking company in business, it was forced to get rid of the rest of its goods. Company leaders, along with distribution partners, thought the Food Bank would be the perfect destination.
Cooper admits he strives to feed people healthy, nutritious meals, but, he said, a tasty snack in the right portion never hurt anyone.
"It's these holidays where that special treat, that tasty snack, that dessert item becomes so much more meaningful, in a menu of moderation, so to speak," said Cooper.
The treats will be sorted and stacked and on their way to people in need this week. Like the rest of the stock inside this warehouse, the desserts will go quickly, but Cooper said Hostess will always be a fond memory, especially now that the company went out on a sweet note to help the less fortunate.
- San Antonio Food Bank online at: www.safoodbank.org
