Brazos Valley Food Bank

The Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB) serves Washington County and the Brazos Valley in feeding its hungry neighbors. In the past year, BVFB has provided almost 500,000 pounds of food to its Washington County neighbors in need through the food pantries, assistance programs and other partners they serve. They are a 501(c)3 organization with a 4-star “Exceptional” rating by Charity Navigator, the independent organization that rates charitable groups.

Below are some stats for ya!

  • $1 provides up to 2 meals for Brazos Valley neighbors in need
  • Current Need: Inflation has impacted us all. But for neighbors on fixed incomes or earning lower wages, inflation’s negative impact hits even deeper. High food prices and record setting AC bills, added to changes to public safety net programs, means people we know/others we don’t are silently suffering. The demand for BVFB supported food pantries and programs has increased 25%, higher than in the pandemic, meaning longer food lines and waiting lists. The choice to forgo food to keep housing and electricity, fuel and transportation or access to medical care, is one no one should have to make. Food should not be an impossible choice.
  • Organization Facts:
    • BVFB supports 36 agency partners across six counties
    • BVFB distributes over 5 million pounds of food annually
    • BVFB serves nearly 42,000 people annually across the Brazos Valley
  • Washington County Facts:
    • The overall Food Insecurity rate for Washington County is 11.9% (2021 statistic from Feeding America)
      • For children 18 and under, it’s 17%
    • Food Insecure population in Washington County is 4,230 )2021 statistic from Feeding America)
      • For children 18 and under, it’s 1,320
    • Last fiscal year, BVFB distributed 505,022 pounds of food to Washington County with an economic value of $969,642.00
    • Last fiscal year, BVFB served nearly 3,000 people in Washington County with consistent, nutritious food.

The Brazos Valley Food Bank, Inc. strives to alleviate hunger in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, Robertson, and Washington Counties of the Brazos Valley by distributing food and educational resources to its neighbors in need through a network of hunger relief partners and special programs. On a daily basis, the Brazos Valley Food Bank unites food donors, volunteers, and hunger-relief agencies around the common goal of providing a food-secure Brazos Valley. In addition to supplying food to partner agencies, the Brazos Valley Food Bank oversees BackPack and Senior Bag programs, Mobile Food and School-Based Food pantries, as well as Nutrition Education and Social Service Outreach programs to better reach those in need.

For more information please visit the Brazos Valley Food Bank website

BVFB Vision Statement
Our vision is a hunger-free Brazos Valley.

BVFB Mission Statement
The Brazos Valley Food Bank unites our community
to nourish our neighbors in need.

BVFB Values
In all that we do, Brazos Valley Food Bank:

  • Promotes understanding of hunger
  • Inspires community involvement
  • Respects diversity
  • Appreciates every contribution
  • Responds to evolving needs
  • Demonstrates transparency
  • Practices good stewardship
  • Models excellence

Partner Agencies – 297,868 lbs distributed to Washington County Partner Agencies In our last fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018)

  •    Prairie Hill – Public food pantry –  8,012 lbs
  •    Bread Partners (and Burton Bridge Ministry) – public food pantries – 129,238 lbs
  •    Faith Mission – public food pantry – 58,130 lbs
  •    Adult and Teen Challenge – residential facility – 43,140 lbs
  •    Brenham Church of Christ – public food pantry – (retired February 2018) 59,348 lbs

Mobile Pantry Program – 1st Distribution August 3, 2018 –5,529 lbs distributed

  • St. Peter’s Mobile Pantry at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 2310 Airline Dr., Brenham, TX
  • 38 households, 106 individuals

Fresh Food Drops – 19,308 lbs distributed to Wash. County drop sites last year

  • Adult and Teen Challenge – 7,311 lbs
  • Burton Bridge Ministries – 11,997 lbs
  • Brenham Housing Authority – Hasskarl Neighborhood – 1st distribution in July 2018 was 373 lbs

Backpack Program–  2,785 BackPack bags given to 94 unique children, distributed through Washington County schools last school year

    • Krause Elementary
    • Brenham Elementary
    • Alton Elementary
    • Burton Elementary

Senior Outreach Program –  2033 Senior bags given to 50 unique seniors, distributed in Washington County last year through the Washington County Health Living Association (Senior Center)