Goya Foods has made a hefty donation of 250,000 pounds of food to help feed Texas families in need. The Hispanic-owned food giant partnered with multiple charities across the Lone Star State, including the Houston Food Bank and Catholic Charities of San Antonio to get pantry essentials into the hands of those who need them most.
The company's president and CEO, Bob Unanue, announced, "This donation is a gift from our Goya family to families in Texas. With the spirit of giving ingrained within our company values, we are committed to serving communities and advancing the well-being for all throughout the world," as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Beans, rice, canned vegetables, and broth are among the staples provided to help tackle food insecurity during this season of giving.
The holiday timing is especially pertinent as Texas grapples with a growing hunger crisis. According to the North Texas Food Bank, they are distributing over 15% more food than they did in July, a stark indication of the increasing need within the community. The food bank's chief external affairs officer, Erica Yaeger, told UPI, that the organization expects to distribute around 400,000 meals per day during the holiday season, despite seeing private support for the operation take a dip.
With Texas holding the dubious honor of having the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation at 15.5%, Goya's contribution speaks volumes during a critical time. The Department of Agriculture's most recent study underscores the severity of the issue, showing that nearly one-in-six households in the state find themselves food insecure, jeopardizing the nutrition of roughly 4.6 million Texans, Goya's effort shines as a beacon of corporate responsibility amid this dire backdrop.
