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.
Theodore George, President, Professor (Department of Philosophy), Texas A&M University
Philip Rodriguez V., Vice President, Attorney, Doss & Rodriquez PPLC
Joni Cook, Secretary, Retired, Community Volunteer (Burleson County)
Allan Clayton, Treasurer, Retired, Community Volunteer, Brazos County
Marcus Alsup, Immediate Past President, Branch Manager, Wells Fargo
John Cowan, Senior Vice President, Simmons Bank
Jimmy Byrd, Executive Dean, Blinn College (Bryan Campus)
Dora Cruzan, Retired Community Volunteer (Brazos County)
Alex Egan, Director of Special Projects, KBTX Media
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, H-E-B (Bryan)
Andrew Kilzer, General Manager, Maroon & White, LP
Ken Krueger, City President, Extraco Banks
Pat Patrick, Sales Center Manager, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
Byron Sommerlatte, Retired, Community Volunteer (Burleson County)
Charlie Shear, Retired, Community Volunteer (Robertson County)
Arthur Watson, Executive Director, Transition Academic Programs, Texas A&M University
Deborah Wright, Associate Vice President Budget & Planning, Texas A&M University
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
Robert Martin - Agency Relationships Manager
Ashley Patridge - Agency Relations/Mobile Pantry Coordinator
Kathryn Clanton - Nutrition Education Coordinator
Melissa Roy - Benefits Assistance Coordinator
Jenny Serrato - Referral Specialist
Vacant - Benefits Assistance Specialist
Jenna Magnusson - Nutrition Education Specialist
Vacant - Individual Development Specialist
Carrie Martinez - TWG Outreach and Training Specialist
Vacant - Professional Development Specialist
Amelia Ichode - Programs Specialist
Rebekah Gary - Nutrition Educator
Vacant - Agency Relations/Mobile Pantry Assistant
Ebony Knight - Operations Director
Destiny Lavador - Food & Friends Manager
Tyler Foley- Distribution Manager
Denise Lambert - Inventory & Facility Manager
Vacant - Assembly Coordinator
Vacant - Administrative Greeter
Tyra Moore - Driver
James Brewster - Driver/Warehouse Staff
Brandon Adams - Driver/Warehouse Staff
Marquis Pratt - Driver/Warehouse Staff
Victor Turner - Forklift Operator
Amanda Stark - Communications & Development Director
Vacant - Communications & Development Coordinator
Tilly Flores - Community Experience Assistant
Mona Benoit - Accounting & Finance Professional
Vacant - Finance Specialist
The Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB) has been in operation for 39 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.
