Contribution will enhance efforts to provide food to families impacted by Winter Storms
Today, East West Bank, one of the 25 largest publicly traded commercial banks in the U.S., which operates 13 locations in the Texas/Southwest Region, presented a $10,000 contribution to the Houston Food Bank on Monday, April 12th, as part of a community focused effort to support local organizations aiding communities disproportionately impacted by the severe weather crisis. This contribution to the Houston Food Bank provides 30,000 meals to food insecure families due to the recent winter storm.
As families grapple with both the health and economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston families now bear the brunt of the severe storm that hit the area. In just 2019, the Houston Food Bank was forced to throw our 1.8 million pounds of food due to an ammonia leak, contaminating nearly $2 million in lost product.
Paula McKenzie, Director of Major Gifts for the Houston Food Bank said, “I would like to extend a special thank you to our friends at East West Bank for their support which will provide 30,000 meals to families in need after the winter storm that hit our region last month. While the storm may be over, the effects of this disaster on our neighbors will last for weeks and months to come.”
East West Bank has also contributed $10,000 to The Family Place in Dallas, $5,000 to the Salvation Army in North Texas, and will be contributing an additional $5,000 to Target Hunger in Houston.
East West Bank’s contribution to the Houston Food Bank is part of many across Texas to support the efforts to aid the recovery of communities. “Following a storm of unprecedented impact, our goal was to help organizations that are helping people get back on their feet, in the communities where we live and work,” said Mike Burr, Senior Managing Director and Head of Texas Market for East West Bank. “The storm was another hardship for people who were already dealing with the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Houston Food Bank will use the funds from East West Bank to continue providing aid and food resources to the thousands of families affected by the winter weather crisis.