The San Antonio Food Bank said they often see fewer volunteers in August and are calling for extra support.

While many students relying on meals provided at school, summer break poses challenges for families in need, but the San Antonio Food Bank has stepped up to provide assistance.

While the NCAA has March Madness, the San Antonio Food Bank is facing a "March Sadness" due to a shortage of volunteers, according to food bank president and CEO Eric Cooper, who joined Leading SA on Sunday morning.

Start times and routes for the 2024 Battle of Flowers and Flambeau Parades.

A new program will help feed millions of children this summer when they are out of school, but several states, including Texas, are not participating.

As Christmas approaches, the San Antonio Food Bank is making sure families have a special dinner with loved ones.

The San Antonio Food Bank serves about 100,000 people each week and is doing everything possible to help families in need this holiday season.

The Humana Foundation is investing $1.05 million in its partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank to screen more seniors for food insecurity.

President and CEO of the food bank, Eric Cooper, joined Leading SA this weekend to explain it's new senior-focused initiative.

San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper was selected as the grand marshal for the 133rd Battle of Flowers Parade.

The San Antonio Food Bank said Texas is ranked 2nd in the nation for food insecurity and that one in six people live in food-insecure homes.

Eric Cooper, President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, joined Leading SA to talk about Hunger Action Month and the ways to help.

People who rely on government assistance for food could face changes if the new debt ceiling deal is passed in Congress.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a crucial resource for thousands of families across our community, and the summer months are some of its busiest.

“This is going down as the most expensive Thanksgiving ever, the cost of turkey and the sides, families are struggling,” said Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank CEO.

The San Antonio Food Bank helps more than 100,000 people per week, and with inflation this Thanksgiving, it is officially their most expensive on record.

The east coast continues to feel the impact of Hurricane Ian as much destruction was left behind; some local organizations are stepping up and helping out.

It’s National Dog Day, a day to celebrate all dog breeds and raise awareness for public shelters and rescue dogs. But perhaps one population you don’t think about as pet owners are those experiencing homelessness.

The “first of its kind” partnership between the San Antonio Food Bank and Workforce Solutions Alamo could serve as a national model.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a lifeline for families in our area, and it’s now seeing a rise in demand as lines are getting longer with more people facing a rise in rent, utilities and gas costs.

Gas prices and inflation are hurting all of us differently, but it’s also hurting San Antonio organizations working to help others.

The San Antonio Food Bank continues its support in Uvalde by inviting volunteers to build care packages and write cards to be sent with their usual food deposit to benefit the community.

The San Antonio Food Bank says it’s getting harder to feed families due to the spike in diesel prices, which average at an all-time high in San Antonio at $5.29.

Feeding a large household is getting more expensive to provide at home and even more to eat out.

The 26th annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice is scheduled for March 26 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of last February’s freeze, KSAT is shining a spotlight on the organizations that helped us get through it. The San Antonio Food Bank is one example.

Hundreds of cars lined up for a mega food distribution event outside Gus Stadium Friday morning hosted by the San Antonio Food Bank.

Students, administrators, alumni and fans of each university volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank Wednesday morning.

When seniors enter retirement, a good amount of them rely solely on Social Security checks as income and sometimes the checks aren’t enough to cover groceries.

San Antonio Food Bank staff and volunteers spent Wednesday morning making Thanksgiving meals for shelter residents at Haven for Hope.

The San Antonio Food Bank is seeing near record requests for holiday help, but the supply of turkeys and other holiday items is running short, the nonprofit said in press release.

An hour-long event of music, readings, and reflections from numerous inter-faith leaders ahead of Thanksgiving.

SA Foodbank and the Military Family Advisory Network distribute meals to hundreds of military families facing food insecurity

As the people in Louisiana begin the long road to getting back to normal after Hurricane Ida, San Antonio organizations are joining others across the country by sending food and supplies to help.

We’re about 17 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and the images of long lines at food banks are still difficult to forget. But, we are far from done.

San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper is among panelists who will join KSAT 12 anchors Max Massey and Sarah Acosta.

The food bank is looking for volunteers who speak different languages -- including Spanish, French and Creole -- to assist the migrants.

The San Antonio Food Bank says families struggling to recover from the pandemic are turning to it for help.

The San Antonio Food Bank's mission to end hunger expands to family pets.

The San Antonio Food Bank is sending out a plea for volunteers, calling it “an urgent crisis.”

On April 9, 2020, thousands of residents waited for hours at the parking lot of Trader’s Village to receive meals from the San Antonio Food Bank. It became the largest domestic emergency food distribution in the nation.

A local bank donated $50,000 for the fifth year in a row to help keep a refrigerated truck on the road to pickup and distribute food to families in need.

SAN ANTONIO – It’s been 12 months of challenges but also opportunities. The San Antonio Food Bank reflected on one year of hard work feeding thousands of families during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re taking this anniversary of the COVID-19 crisis to bring a level of stewardship and accountability and sharing what we’ve experienced, what we’ve learned and what we’re hopeful in the next year,“ San Antonio Food Bank President and CEO Eric Cooper said Wednesday. “That sector for San Antonio was disproportionately impacted in this crisis. So many of our layoffs were in that sector and many military households were impacted,” Cooper said.

SAN ANTONIO – In Military City U.S.A., the San Antonio Food Bank has always helped serve active duty military families and veterans needing its help, however, during the coronavirus pandemic, the need is even more apparent. Accustomed to seeing military members in uniform helping to unload and distribute items at the food bank, Cooper said a recent encounter he had in the food bank’s lobby was a sobering moment. “He kind of hung his head and said, ‘No, I’m actually here to get food,’” Cooper said. “Just because that’s the man that I am.”He said thankfully, a friend told him about the San Antonio Food Bank. “It’s amazing to see so many people giving back to our community, you know, because this is San Antonio,” Brazier said.

SAN ANTONIO – Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank president and CEO, took a surprise call from the White House regarding the food bank’s food and water response following last week’s winter storm. According to a statement by the food bank, Cooper stopped between separate food distributions on Wednesday and ate at Whataburger when Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman of the United States and husband to Vice President Kamala Harris, called him. The food bank said Emhoff wanted to check on San Antonio and the organization’s response effort. He shared the challenges of water and the fragility of the power grid that crippled so many,” the San Antonio Food Bank said in a statement to KSAT. He mentioned the selfless volunteers and the incredible donors of food, water and funds.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is serving up relief for thousands of people in South Texas who have been impacted by the historic winter weather this past week. With the wintry conditions behind us in Texas and the San Antonio region, residents are looking to restock their fridges and water supply. The food bank’s network of food pantries and mobile food distributions remains fully operational and open to the public for help. AdEvery $1 donated to the food bank provides seven meals. If you are interested in signing up to help in the next city-wide distribution event with the SA Food Bank, you can preregister here.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is a staple of our community and for more than 40 years the organization has worked to help local families who need it most. And they’re counting on us to be able to nurse their family,” Food Bank CEO and President Eric Cooper said. Eric Cooper has been with the food bank for years. This past year when the pandemic hit the food bank and their resources were spread thin. The food bank at one point was serving up to 120,000 people on a given day.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank’s final mega distribution of 2020 Tuesday morning carried a Texas twist with each of the food packages. Community First Health Plans also helped pay for the transportation for much of the food. The food bank says it has seen the number of people it helps every week jump from 60,000 to 120,000 across 16 counties. The mega mobile distribution events have been become necessary to help deal with the influx of recipients, the demands of COVID-19 precautions, as well as the loss of many partner agencies who used to help distribute the food. Though the mega distribution events are done for the year, families are still able to get help through the SA Food Bank.

SAN ANTONIO – You could see it in the aerial pictures of the San Antonio Food Bank’s mega distribution event in April. Similarly, the San Antonio Food Bank has seen a 30% increase. Of those 181 food banks examined by the Associated Press, San Antonio’s food bank ranked 15th in average food distribution prior to the pandemic. In the meantime, the food bank will be there to help families keep food on the table, Cooper said. “In the end, it’s going to be OK.”How to helpThere are several ways to help the San Antonio Food Bank feed hungry families.

SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s Note: Watch the entire briefing in the video player above. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Tuesday night. Nirenberg reported 81,626 total COVID-19 cases and 1,362 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 452 new cases as of Tuesday. Wolff said there are currently 76 COVID-19 patients from El Paso in San Antonio hospitals. The school risk level is currently at “moderate.”School Risk Level: 12/1/20 (COSA/Bexar County)Eric Cooper, CEO and president of the San Antonio Food Bank, said his organization is serving 120,000 people each week.

SAN ANTONIO – When seniors enter retirement a good amount of them rely solely on their social security checks as income. But that’s where the city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Food Bank have stepped in, with its regular Convoy of Hope. For 17 years the city of San Antonio has partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank to deliver 12,000 boxes of food to eligible seniors in senior centers. It kicked off on the north side even though there is not a senior center currently in district 9. Councilman Courage said hopefully in the next 16-18 months a brand new senior center will be in the area.

SAN ANTONIO – With coronavirus cases surging in and around San Antonio, some families are going through tough times, or have been since the start of the pandemic. President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank Eric Cooper joined Leading SA Sunday to discuss how the demand for assistance from the food bank is still consistent, even eight months into the pandemic. There’s information for those that need to be able to get the resources they need,” Cooper said. To learn more about the San Antonio Food Bank, visit its website here. RELATED: How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemic

SAN ANTONIO – On your mark, get set, trot — virtually, to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. The food bank’s annual Turkey Trot 5K will be virtual this Thanksgiving due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced. The virtual race will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, in an effort to raise money to feed families in need. “The pandemic has brought on a season of need, unlike anything we have seen before," said Eric Cooper, CEO and president of the Food Bank. “More than ever our community needs us.”In previous years, the race was held throughout Southtown and the King William area.

San Antonio – The coronavirus pandemic is impacting food deserts in San Antonio, but the Southside Independent School District and the San Antonio Food Bank are playing critical roles and ensuring no one goes hungry. City Council is tackling food deserts by increasing access to fresh fruit, vegetablesSouthside ISD hosts food distributions twice a month and feeds more than 5,000 people a month. Southside ISD receives the food it gives to its community members from the San Antonio Food Bank. The San Antonio Food Bank says one in four children experience hunger in San Antonio. The majority of the food the nonprofit distributes comes from donors such as H-E-B, but the food bank also has farms where it grows produce.

SAN ANTONIO – According to a new survey conducted by the UTSA Urban Education Institute, 26% of families say they are experiencing food insecurity. That means their food supply ran out and there was no money to buy more. Director Michael Villareal said this is something we see throughout the city, not just in any particular part of town. According to Eric Cooper with the San Antonio Food Bank, the results show a direct correlation with remote learning. Villareal hopes the issues highlighted in this survey will trigger community involvement to combat food insecurity especially amid this pandemic.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is asking the community for support as it helps provide meals to area families and persons affected by layoffs and unemployment related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following September’s successful Hunger Action Month efforts, San Antonio Food Bank organizers are still looking toward community donations and financial support as the holiday season approaches to keep shelves stocked and bellies full. Related: How you can help support the SA Food Bank for Hunger Action MonthEric Cooper, president of the San Antonio Food Bank, said he was proud of the community for stepping up to help those in need and looks forward to a similar effort as the holiday season nears. Cooper said that means the food bank is now dependent on community donations and financial assistance. “For us, it’s a challenge because it is so expensive right now.”Related: The Big Give 2020: San Antonio Food Bank feeds 120K South Texans per week

SAN ANTONIO – September is Hunger Action Month and our KSAT Community partners hope to help bring food, money and awareness to the needs of people in San Antonio and around South Texas. Since March, the San Antonio Food Bank responded to the COVID-19 crisis by serving 120,000 people per week across 16 county service areas with 80% from Bexar County. “We are so grateful because when we put the need out, San Antonio always responds,” said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. How you can support the SA Food Bank:Donate foodDonate onlineVolunteer timeThe most wanted items the food bank is looking for include peanut butter, beans, chili, soups, cereal, rice, tuna, canned lunch meats, pet food, macaroni and cheese, full meals either canned or boxed, baby food, diapers and pop-top food items. If you are interested in donating items to the SA Food Bank, you can drop food off at 5200 Enrique M Barrera Pkwy, San Antonio.

SAN ANTONIO – Over the past few years, KSAT Community has partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank for Hunger Action Month in September, and now the call for support has increased drastically due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since March, the Food Bank responded to the COVID-19 crisis by serving 120,000 people per week across 16 county service areas with 80% from Bexar County. “The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically increased the demand for food,” said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. San Antonio Food Bank is anticipating 124,430 new individuals will face hunger sometime in the coming year, along with an additional 56,720 new children. Now they are relying on the San Antonio Food Bank to feed themselves and their children.

SAN ANTONIO The president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank worries that they wont be able to keep up with the demand as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Cooper said he also worries about whether people will be able to economically recover from something so unexpected. Recently, the food bank has a seen a small increase in demand as many federal benefits have run out. But weve got lots of shifts that still need volunteers, Cooper said. Cooper says he knows the San Antonio community comes together during tough times.

SAN ANTONIO – As the economic slowdown increased the demand for food banks around the country, the United States Department of Agriculture created a program to help with the demand and help producers as well. According to the USDA, the program launched in May and saw food purchases of $947 million. SA Food Bank officials concerned demand may spike after several assistance programs end this weekEric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, said the program has been a great help in a time of need. The first round of the program occurred between May 15 and June 30, with one vendor securing a contract for the San Antonio area. And that’s not just San Antonio, that’s all of South Texas,” Cooper said.

SAN ANTOBIO – As several federal assistance programs aimed at helping people affected by the economic slowdown come to an end this week, there is a fear at the San Antonio Food Bank that the need for assistance could grow. Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, said the number of people helped each week by the Food Bank doubled from 60,000 to 120,000 at the start of the economic shutdown in March. How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemicWith programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, unemployment insurance and a moratorium on evictions ending this week, Cooper is worried the demand for help may spike. On Monday, the San Antonio Food Bank met with several of its large financial supporters to go over its current inventory and demand. How well-positioned we will be in our inventory will be the question.”Another area where the food bank needs help is with volunteers.

SAN ANTONIO After Mondays call for help, the San Antonio Food Bank has lessened the need for volunteers this week. The amount of people who rely on the San Antonio Food Bank has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The food bank went from helping 60,000 people a week to now 120,000 people. Leah Mishket is one of the dozens of volunteers doing what they can to help San Antonio families through this tough time. As we are hitting July, mid-summer, its hot and theres a lot of distraction and we felt the dip, San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper said.

SAN ANTONIO Editors note: This content was created exclusively for KSAT Explains, a new, weekly streaming show that dives deep into the biggest issues facing San Antonio and South Texas. San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper woke up April 9 knowing it would be a busy day. San Antonio Food Bank holds day of service to honor George FloydCooper said demand has doubled since the onset of COVID-19. (San Antonio Poverty Chart via City of San Antonio.) San Antonio Food Bank mega distribution image.

San Antonio Food Bank officials say they may have to cut back or cancel some mobile and mega distribution events because of a lack of volunteers. The food bank needs 400 volunteers a week to support these events and so far they only have about 100 volunteers for this week and the next several weeks. Food bank officials say its an all-time low for volunteers during the COVID-19 response effort. How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemicOur great community is rightfully cautious about getting out at the moment, given the spike in local cases. But the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our economic stability as a community and food needs continue at all-time high levels, said Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

SAN ANTONIO Five employees of the San Antonio Food Bank have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past several weeks, CEO Eric Cooper confirmed Monday. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food bank has been an integral part of the communitys response, currently feeding upwards of 120,000 people a week. Community lives up to San Antonio Strong with generous response to COVID-19 pandemic, food bank CEO saysCooper said Monday volunteer groups that have been helping with food distributions have been properly notified of positive cases. Officials in Bexar County on Sunday announced 538 new cases of COVID-19, the most ever recorded in a single day in the area. Cooper called it a tough environment and a scary time, but said the food bank is resolute in its mission to safely continue providing meals for area families.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio community has helped those in need get through nine difficult weeks of COVID-19 impact. The San Antonio Food Bank showed just how far the community’s generosity extended in its COVID-19 Crisis Impact Report, which was released Wednesday. CEO Eric Cooper said "San Antonio Strong" has proven true in our community. “It's been the COVID-19 crisis that has brought out this need,” he said. Some $9.1 million purchased 200 semi-truck loads of food over the last nine weeks, and federal funds are now arriving.

SAN ANTONIO – “San Antonio has been a city that struggled for a long time. For those fortunate enough to be in a position to help others right now, volunteering, donating and spreading the word on social media are three easy ways to help the food bank, Cooper said. Eventually, the food bank will reopen donation lines for non-perishable food items. Get your friends involved and you can help us big time at the food bank,” Cooper said. RELATED: Local woman challenges community to donate to San Antonio Food Bank during coronavirus outbreakThose who may need assistance with food can visit the San Antonio Food Bank’s website and watch below.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank announced Friday that the COVID-19 response has put a strain on the agency and its ability to help those impacted. “We’ve gone from feeding about 60,000 people a week to about 120,000,” Food Bank President and CEO Eric Cooper said. San Antonio Food Bank launches ‘Neighbor Helping Neighbor’ response effortThe Food Bank has reduced the number of volunteers at its facility to comply with orders and social distancing, which has also caused a challenge in how food is distributed to the public. Those in need will need to preregister with the Food Bank and a distribution site will be set up for people to pick up their food. “Once H-E-B gets back to normal, we will launch a food drive to help families affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is once again participating in the Hunters for the Hungry program, which is managed by Feeding Texas, to help those in need. Through the program, hunters can drop off legally tagged deer to a participating meat processor, and eventually, the meat makes its way to the San Antonio Food Bank. But this year, we partnered with Trinity Oaks, where the San Antonio Food Bank has staff and volunteers that process venison,” said Eric Cooper, president and CEO of San Antonio Food Bank. “Now that money will come through Texas Parks and Wildlife to the San Antonio and New Braunfels food banks. San Antonio resident Travis Wuest grew up hunting and has been participating in the program for many years.