Hunger Action Heroes

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

Host: Chris Doelle Guest: Kelli Metzenthin, Columbus Food Pantry

In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes podcast by the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, host Chris Doelle interviews Kelli Metzenthin, the president of the Columbus Food Pantry. Kelli shares her background, how she became involved with the pantry, the services they provide to the community, their funding and volunteer support, their relationship with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, and the outlook for the future.

Episode Timestamps:

The interview concludes with Chris thanking Kelli for sharing her story and the work of the Columbus Food Pantry. Chris mentions the podcast is a brand awareness and fundraising tool for nonprofits like the Food Bank.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

Host: Chris Doelle Guests: Robin Cadle (President and CEO, Food Bank of the Golden Crescent) and Frances Santellana (Chief Operating Officer, Food Bank of the Golden Crescent)

This podcast episode from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent features a conversation with the organization’s president/CEO and chief operating officer about their disaster response. They discuss how they prepare for events like flash flooding, adjust food distribution and communication, and the “all hands on deck” mentality of their staff. The interview highlights lessons learned from past events such as Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic, including improvements in communication, technology, and community coordination. Furthermore, they emphasize the critical role of their dedicated team, volunteers, and the importance of monetary donations and volunteer support during emergencies.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes Podcast, host Chris Doelle from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent interviews Angela Alexander, the coordinator of God’s Storehouse in Nixon, Texas. Angela shares her journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming involved with God’s Storehouse. She discusses the history and operations of the food pantry and resale shop, which was founded by Virginia Wynne, Dorothy Richardson and Gladyne Finch over 40 years ago. Angela describes how the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent has been instrumental in teaching her and other volunteers the essentials of running a food pantry. She also highlights the extensive support from the local community, including partnerships with the school district, Lions Club, and various grant donors. God’s Storehouse serves a significant number of families, and most of the food provided comes from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, supplemented by community donations and occasional purchases.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes Podcast, host Chris Doelle interviews Jan Stokes, the Director of SHARE, the Wharton County Interfaith Coalition. Jan shares her personal background, discussing her upbringing in Birmingham, Alabama, and Texas, and how she came to be involved with Share. Starting as a volunteer, she quickly became the director and has been serving in that capacity for years. Jan explains the formation and growth of Share, detailing its services such as food distribution, clothing, and household goods provision. She emphasizes the organization’s support for around 5,000 people annually, using donations from churches, grants, and partnerships with local retailers like Walmart, HEB, and Dollar General. Jan highlights additional services provided by Share, such as utility assistance and transportation aid for medical appointments. Lastly, Jan discusses the needs for men’s clothing and monetary donations, which are crucial for buying non-donated essentials.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes podcast, host Chris Doelle interviews Clark Powers from the Eagle Lake Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry. Clark shares his background, growing up in Eagle Lake, studying in Brownwood, Texas, and transitioning from rice farming to working at the food pantry. He also discusses his involvement in the local Baptist church and his current leadership role at the pantry, which began a year ago after the previous director moved. The pantry, supported by multiple local churches, supplies food to families twice a month, serving around 260 families in January and 220 in February. It relies on contributions, such as food deliveries from the Victoria Food Bank and donations of goods from nearby grocery stores and businesses. Clark emphasizes the importance of community volunteers and the logistical challenges they face, including a recent shift in banana box availability and how they adapt to these challenges. Overall, the interview highlights the strong community spirit and determination to support local families in need.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes podcast, host Chris Doelle interviews Mike Olson and Christina Olson, a duo deeply involved in community service through their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and their work with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent. Mike discusses his role as a state president in the church and his healthcare leadership background. Christina talks about her role as a communications director and their family’s involvement in various humanitarian efforts. They detail their contributions to the food bank, including organizing large-scale donations and the church’s extensive infrastructure for prod ucing and distributing food. The episode highlights their collaboration with the food bank and their commitment to serving the community and addressing food insecurity.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes podcast, host Chris Doelle interviews Pastor Ruben Castillo from Bayside Community Church. Pastor Ruben discusses his background, growing up as one of twelve siblings in a migrant family, and his journey from high school to joining the Army, healthcare, and eventually into ministry. He shares his transition from a senior leadership position in healthcare to taking a leap of faith as a full-time pastor. Pastor Ruben highlights the growth of Bayside Community Church from 18 members to over 160, attributing the growth to community engageme  nt initiatives such as sunrise services, outreach programs, and the 4th of July fireworks. He focuses on the church’s significant role in running a food pantry, which feeds 1,100 to 1,200 people monthly in partnership with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent. The church’s outreach extends to Ganado, supporting students and families and addressing food disparities in the region. Pastor Ruben concludes by inviting listeners to connect with Bayside Community Church through their website and social media platforms.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes Podcast, hosted by Chris Doelle, the guest is Marc A. Hinojosa, Executive Director of Victoria Christian Assistance Ministries (VCAM). They discuss the history, mission, and services of VCAM, which was established in 1986 as a food pantry supported by various local churches. Hinojosa shares details of other programs VCAM offers, including a basic needs closet, free clothing store, and financial assistance for essential bills and medication. He emphasizes VCAM’s unique function as an interfaith nonprofit organization that provides all services for free. VCAM’s strong relationship with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent is highlighted, showcasing their mutual dependence. Hinojosa also outlines volunteer opportunities and ways to support VCAM through donations. He concludes by reiterating their commitment to providing hope and essential services to the community.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

Chris interviews Amelia Lechuga, the founder of the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, and Frances Santellana, the Chief Operations Officer. Amelia recounts how the food bank began in 1986 due to her experience working with hungry children at Children’s Services. She discovered the concept of food banks and gradually built the organization with community support, overcoming numerous challenges. Frances joined Amelia early on, volunteering and later becoming a staff member. Both share stories of dedication, faith, and the community’s role in growing the food bank from a small operation to a major organization serving multiple counties. They reflect on the rewarding and humbling experience of feeding thousands through perseverance and the belief that their mission was divinely inspired.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!

Each episode, host Chris Doelle sits down with someone playing a vital role in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescents mission of “Helping Heal the Hurt of Hunger.”

Chris Doelle interviews Anna Cellum, who is a SNAP program director and executive assistant at a food bank. Anna describes the Kids Weekend Meals program which provides food for children in need over the weekends. She explains that the program is funded by grants, private donations, and foundations. Anna also shares her personal story about how she became involved in the food bank and the importance of helping heal the hurt of hunger.

The Title Sponsor is H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program. H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program works year-round to fight hunger in Texas and Mexico. Hunger relief has been a key focus for H-E-B since the first store opened in 1905. For more than a century now, H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the communities it serves has been an important part of the way the company does business. Since the inception of the Hunger Relief Program, H-E-B has donated over 1 billion pounds of food to help nourish neighbors in communities throughout Texas and Mexico.

Find us on every major podcast directory!