The Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB), a 501c3 nonprofit, is a central food distribution site that utilizes millions of pounds of food, millions of dollars and thousands of "friends" (volunteers) to bring the Brazos Valley closer to hunger-free, feeding tens of thousands of unique individuals annually. BVFB solves hunger today by distributing nutritious food (at least 90%) through our network of partner agencies. Where are are unmet needs, BVFB provides programs that feed the need today - food filled BackPacks for children; on-campus School Food Pantries for older students; Senior Bags; Mobile Food Pantries for rural communities; food home delivery, Project GotEM; and Screen & Intervene services in health settings to identify partners dealing with hunger. BVFB is ending hunger tomorrow with strategies that educate, empower and prevent hunger - benefits assistance for safety net programs, service referrals, nutrition education to SNAP-eligible populations and Together We Grow.
BVFB's facility, based in Bryan, TX, provides serves to Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, Robertson & Washington Counties of the Brazos Valley of Texas. These combined counties are 92 miles long and 87 miles wide. With 328,898 residents, 59% live in rural areas.
Houston Food Bank: BVFB is a Partner Food Bank of the Houston Food Bank, along with the Montgomery County Food Bank, Galveston County Food Bank and the Trinity River Food Bank. The Houston Food Bank's service area is the 18 counties of Southeast Texas, which includes the Brazos Valley. The Houston Food Bank contracts with BVFB to serve the Brazos Valley. BVFB is its own 501c3; however, it does receive its government food commodity allocations through the Houston Food Bank.
Feeding Texas: BVFB is a full member of Feeding Texas, the state food bank network of Texas Food Banks.
Feeding America: BVFB is indirectly affiliated with Feeding America, the national food bank network, through is affiliation as a Partner Food Bank with the Houston Food Bank.
As a matter of fundamental principle, BVFB strives to adhere to the highest ethical standards. As a matter of pragmatic self-interest, we should do so because public trust in our performance and stewardship is the bedrock of our legitimacy. Donors and volunteers support charitable organizations because they trust them to carry out their missions, to be good stewards of their resources, and to uphold rigorous standards of conduct. BVFB must earn this trust every day and in every possible way.
Our board members, executive leaders, staff, and volunteers demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the core values of integrity, honesty, fairness, openness, respect, and responsibility. Adherence to the law is the minimum standard of expected behavior. BVFB must do more, however, than simply obey the law. We must embrace the spirit of the law, often going beyond legal requirements and making sure that what we do is matched by what the public understands about what we do. Transparency, openness and responsiveness to public concerns must be integral to our behavior.
Our vision is a hunger-free Brazos Valley.
The Brazos Valley Food Bank unites our community to nourish our neighbors in need.
In all that we do, Brazos Valley Food Bank:
Our volunteer Board members are responsible for the financial health of our organization, making it possible for the Brazos Valley Food Bank to work towards a hunger free Brazos Valley.
Allan Clayton, President, Retired, Community Volunteer (Brazos County)
Marcus Alsup, Vice President, Branch Manager, Wells Fargo
Deborah Wright, Treasurer, Associate Vice President Budget & Planning, Texas A&M University
Joni Cook, Secretary, Retired, Community Volunteer (Burleson County)
John Cowan, Immediate Past President, Senior Vice President, Simmons Bank
Jimmy Byrd, Executive Dean, Blinn College (Bryan Campus)
Stacy Colvin, Operations Manager, KBTX-TV3
Jason Cornelius, Financial Center Manager, Frost Bank
Scott DeLucia, Radio Host, Bryan Broadcasting
Leland Gibson, Project Manager, Office of Facilities Planning & Construction, Texas A&M University System
David Gilbert, Store Manager, Brookshire Brothers (Caldwell)
Ann Gilmore, Unit Director, HEB (Bryan)
Theodore George, Professor and Head (Dept. of Philosophy), Texas A&M University
Pat Patrick, Sales Center Manager, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
Carl Prihoda, Community Reinvestment Act Officer, Citizens State Bank (Brenham)
Philip Rodriguez V., Attorney, Youngkin & Doss, P.L.L.C.
Gus Roman, Assistant Director, City of College Station Community Services Department
Tammi Warford, Sponsorship Coordinator, Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo
Theresa Mangapora, MSW - Executive Director
Shannon Avila - Programs Director
Winter Terral - Special Programs Manager
Alaina Jalufka - Together We Grow Program Manager
Morayo Suara - Health Promotions Manager
Andi Hawthorne - Agency Relations/Mobile Pantry Coordinator
Haley Stevens - Nutrition Education Coordinator
Melissa Roy - Benefits Assistance Coordinator
Kathryn Clanton - Nutrition Education Specialist
Chelsey Trevino - Individual Development Specialist
Sheena Petty - Professional Development Specialist
Annie Sims - Referral Specialist
Emily Purcell - Nutrition Educator
Julie Brooks - Agency Relations/Mobile Pantry Assistant
Amelia Mayer - Project GotEM Assistant
Regan Heath - Special Programs Assistant
Ebony Knight - Operations Director
Destiny Lavador - Food & Friends Manager
Tyler Foley- Distribution Manager
Vacant - Logistics Manager
Vacant - Assembly Coordinator
Denise Lambert - Distribution and Logistics Assistant
Vacant - Administrative Greeter
James Peck - Driver
Tyra Moore - Driver
Kayla Robertson - Driver
Vacant - Driver
Vacant - Forklift Operator
Amanda Stark - Communications & Development Director
Vacant - Grants Manager
Porscha Cooks - Development Assistant
Mary Stevens - Finance Director
Mona Benoit - Finance Specialist
The Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB) has been in operation for 37 years. In its first year (1985), BVFB distributed 50,000 pounds of food. BVFB became a Partner Distribution Organization (PDO) of the Houston Food Bank in 1986, and in 1987, the first paid staff position was created. In 2005, BVFB started its first program, the BackPack Program. Subsequent years included more program development, increased food distribution, including the addition of fresh produce, and disaster response. In 2017, after completion of its Because Hunger Won’t Wait Capital Campaign, BVFB moved into a larger facility with increased space for operations, fresh food storage and volunteer engagement.
For the eleventh consecutive year, the Brazos Valley Food Bank has earned Charity Navigator's coveted 4-star rating. This is the highest possible rating for this organization that is regarded as the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. To receive a 4-star rating, charities must demonstrate strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency