Category: Activism

PechaKucha San Antonio Presents: Volume 44

The first PechaKucha of 2024 coming to the eastside at the Carver Community Cultural Center. Photo: Ben Yanto, used with permission.

PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series that hosts speakers who share their passions in a unique format, is excited to announce its Volume 44 as the first for the 2024 series. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Carver Community Cultural Center’s Jo Long Theatre for the Performing Arts (226 N Hackberry St, San Antonio, TX 78202). The night begins with a welcome reception at 6:30p.m., followed by presentations starting at 7:30p.m. (PechaKucha San Antonio, 2024)

The mission of the Carver Community Cultural Center is to celebrate the diverse cultures of our world, nation and community, with emphasis on its African and African-American heritage, by providing premier artistic presentations, community outreach activities and educational programs.

Volume 44 will feature a talented group of local speakers. The seven presenters include:

The evening’s emcee will be PechaKucha alumni Jessica Conrad. The welcome reception will feature live music by local artists Los Dos Coyotes, comprised of Mike Ryan and Michael Galindo. Mike Ryan is a founding member/songwriter for multi-award winning band, Coyote Dreams and playwright of Borderland Rogues: The Story of Los San Patricios. Michael Galindo is multi instrumentalist, long time local musician, born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio.  

The welcome reception will also include complimentary bites by San Antonio chefs and restaurants including Bakery Lorraine, Liberty Bar, Naco Mexican and Tandem. Additionally the event will feature cocktails available for purchase curated by local bar Amor Eterno.  

Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased online – guests are encouraged to arrive early and purchase tickets at the door instead to avoid processing fees. 

PechaKucha San Antonio is presented in partnership with The Power of Preservation Foundation. 

Pronounced “PEH-chuh KOO-chuh,” PechaKucha is a 20 image x 20 second arts and cultures series. It hosts speakers who share their passions in a unique format: Each presenter gets exactly 20 images, and each slide advances automatically every 20 seconds (for a total time of 6:40). San Antonio’s first quarterly PechaKucha Night was held in February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees to venues throughout San Antonio. It showcases a broad range of individuals, including architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders and more. PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) is an event format developed by Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture to encourage creative professionals to share projects and ideas that they are passionate about. Since it began in 2003, PechaKucha has expanded to more than 1200 cities around the world.

Photo: PechaKucha San Antonio, used with permission.

New book release: ‘Wild Horses of Skydog: Blue Zeus & Families’ by Clare Staples

‘Wild Horses of Skydog: Blue Zeus and Families’ is a beautiful tribute to wild Mustang family groups that have been reunited after suffering roundup and separation in the American West. Photo: Amazon

Clare Staples is the founder and president of Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary in Malibu, California, and Bend, Oregon, which provides long-term homes for formerly free-roaming wild horses gathered from the American West by the United States government. Staples is a lifelong wild horse advocate, managing the Sanctuary with a passion and commitment that has helped make her one of the world’s leading voices on the plight of Mustangs and the myriad social and political issues that surround them. (Miller PR, 2024)

Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary recently announced the release of “Wild Horses of Skydog: Blue Zeus & Families,” a captivating tribute to the strength and beauty of wild Mustangs reunited after enduring roundup and separation in the American West. Written by activist and philanthropist Clare Staples, this beautiful book promises to reshape perceptions of wild horses and their plight. The book is published and distributed by Trafalgar Square Books.

In this remarkable book, founder Clare Staples shares touching narratives of Mustang families torn apart by captivity bureau of land management roundups and the tireless efforts of the Skydog team to reunite them and restore their freedom at the Sanctuary. Through stunning photography and heartfelt storytelling, readers are immersed in the journey of twenty-one horse families, including the iconic Blue Zeus, whose heartbreaking tale symbolizes the hope and determination driving Skydog’s mission. Skydog Ranch has already rescued over 300 wild horses and 50 donkeys and mules from a variety of terrible conditions, as well as reuniting bonded families separated during the roundup process.

“Wild Horses of Skydog: Blue Zeus & Families” offers an intimate look at the struggles and triumphs of these majestic creatures, showcasing the steady commitment to preservation and compassion that defines Skydog Ranch. A percentage of all sales directly supports Skydog’s efforts to rescue and reunite wild horses and donkeys, ensuring their legacy for generations to come.

The cover price of “Wild Horses of Skydog: Blue Zeus & Families” is $49.95. Copies can be ordered from the Skydog website with profits benefiting Skydog Ranch. The book is also available through Ingram Publishing Services, supplying national online retailers like Amazon, BN.com, Target.com, and select independent bookstores.

“Writing this book was a true labor of love, and it was my pleasure to tell the stories of some of the wild horse families of Skydog. In this environment, they have the freedom to decide their destinations, companions, and preferred proximity to humans, creating a sense of safety and happiness.” – Clare Staples, founder of Skydog Ranch.

Located in Malibu, California, and covering 9,000 acres near Bend, Oregon, Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary provides a haven for wild horses and burros in need. Founded on principles of kindness and respect, it offers refuge to equines who have endured neglect and mistreatment, often finding themselves in dangerous circumstances such as kill pens or auctions. Their mission extends beyond rescue; they prioritize the reunification of wild horse families, recognizing the deep bonds that unite them. Committed to transparency and accountability, the sanctuary maintains a platinum rating on GuideStar and are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. With daily updates on the residents and rigorous annual inspections, Skydog Ranch and Sanctuary stands as a beacon of hope and compassion in the land of horses.

Best Quality Daughter to host fundraiser for reproductive rights

Best Quality Daughter is partnering with New Orleans’ Turkey and the Wolf to host Good Trouble in Little China on September 11, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Best Quality Daughter is excited to announce that they will be hosting a house party, Good Trouble in Little China, to raise funds for reproductive rights in Texas and Louisiana. Guest Chef Mason Hereford from Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans joins Chef Jennifer Hwa Dobertin for a special menu at Best Quality Daughter for one night only on Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 7p.m. to 11p.m. The party and fundraising event will benefit Planned Parenthood South Texas and Lift Louisiana with proceeds being split 50/50. This is not a seated dinner, so unfortunately dietary restrictions and food allergies are unable to be accommodated. (Best Quality Daughter, 2022)

Three dishes are being curated by both Chef Hereford, a recent Iron Chef alum, and Chef Dobertin, along with house made cocktails. Chef Hereford’s menu includes collard melts and deviled eggs with crispy chicken skin, while Chef Dobertin’s items include wagyu scallion pancake sandwiches and chorizo and egg dumplings. Drinks served will include house cocktails such as Aide and Abet and Purple Texas, along with a beer from Kunstler Brewing called The Morning After Pils.

Tickets are available for a donation of $150 through Eventbrite and include drinks and food. Guests must be 21+ to attend. 

Good Trouble in Little China is sponsored by Annie’s Petite Treats, Back Bar Project, El Dorado Rum, Farm to Table, Kunstler Brewing, Mezcal Amaras, Peeler Farms, Potluck Hospitality, Rambler Sparkling Water, Jamie Stolarski and Sarah Fox.

Best Quality Daughter
602 Avenue A
San Antonio, TX 78215

Best Quality Daughter is a restaurant by Chef Jennifer Dobbertin that opened at Pearl in November of 2020. Pioneering New Asian-American Cuisine, the restaurant experience is a reflection of Dobbertin’s travels and the comfort food of her youth as a second-generation Chinese American. A warm, fun, and gorgeous environment serves as a culinary beacon to locals and travelers alike.

Walmart to award scholarships for National Hispanic Institute Leadership Experience

Walmart and the National Hispanic Institute are partnering to provide tuition scholarships. Photo: National Hispanic Institute.

The National Hispanic Institute (NHI), a nonprofit organization providing leadership education to top-performing Latino high school students across the United States and throughout the Americas, is partnering with Walmart to provide tuition scholarships for a select number of students from Oklahoma and Texas to attend a 2022 Lorenzo de Zavala (LDZ) Youth Legislative Session program. (Walmart, 2022)

The program will host 200 top academic students in a weeklong leadership experience on the campus of Austin College in Sherman, Texas, on July 10-17, 2022. The $20,000 in scholarship money from Walmart — $10,000 for Oklahoma students and $10,000 for Texas students — will provide tuition support.

The LDZ program, launched in 1983, is designed to inspire civic engagement and develop public policy skills. The eight-day immersive program, hosted in coordination with universities, uses a format in which participants declare candidacies and run for offices in executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, and work to propose and enact legislation while developing personal and community identity through a series of exercises that culminate in the three-day legislative session.

Through NHI’s signature community equity building approach, students form communities, develop constituencies, and craft strategies to leverage strengths and capacities. 

“The LDZ experience prompts a personal transformation whereby students feel competent, in control of their life direction, valued in the eyes of others and engaged in adding equity and worth to their community. It nurtures young minds to engage in proactive solutions as a lifelong process.”  – Gloria de Leon, NHI co-founder and architect of the LDZ experience.

“Walmart is excited to sponsor this important program and the work that NHI is going to develop future Latino leaders. As an alum, I can tell you first hand that the LDZ program has an established track record of engaging high school students and inspiring them toward greater civic engagement, and we want to enable students to experience this transformative program through this scholarship fund.” – Ivan Jaime, Director of State and Local Government Relations for Walmart in Oklahoma and Texas.

Current Oklahoma and Texas college-bound high school sophomores and juniors with an 88/100 or 3.2/4.0 grade point average are encouraged to apply. Scholarships will support a portion of the LDZ program’s tuition cost — $995 for the full week, including meals, housing, and tuition. A special committee of NHI alumni and community members in Oklahoma is working on additional fundraising if students need assistance with the balance and transportation arrangements. 

Students are encouraged to promptly submit their online application to the National Hispanic Institute for the Texas LDZ. Select “Walmart Scholarship Candidate” if you are from Oklahoma or Texas to be considered for the award. Students must apply with a $25 application fee for consideration.

Students who cannot attend this program due to conflicts in dates may apply to alternate LDZ sites as well, and depending on funding, may be considered for this award. The first round of admissions will be accepted beginning February 4, 2022, and conclude once the program has reached capacity in mid-March.

The National Hispanic Institute was founded in 1979 to establish an institutional presence in Latino community life, with an organized strategy to prepare the next generation of leaders. NHI researches emergent leadership in youth, and guides them to envision their value beyond the attainment of college degrees and careers into the realm of community leadership. 

Courtesy photo, used with permission

Papa John’s kicks off promotion for David’s Legacy Foundation

Papa John’s kicks off 2021-2022 promotion during National Bullying Prevention Month. Photo: google

As part of National Bullying Prevention Month, the 21 San Antonio-area Papa John’s stores owned by Pizza Venture of San Antonio, LLC, are proud to announce the kickoff of their 2021-2022 school year commitment to the David’s Legacy Foundation. This partnership with Papa John’s comes at a time when spending time online has increased due to the pandemic, thus increasing the opportunity for cyberbullying among children and teens. (Papa John’s, 2021)

Through its Better Neighbors program, Papa John’s has contributed more than $84,000 to David’s Legacy Foundation to combat cyberbullying since 2018. Papa John’s commitment will take place during the 2021-2022 school year.

With this promotion, all Pizza Venture stores will offer a $2 donation to David’s Legacy Foundation for every sale using the promocode STANDUP for 2 large, 2 topping pizzas, and 2-liter soda for $26.

For those who donate, sales will go toward helping David’s Legacy Foundation’s initiative to provide classroom presentations about bullying and David’s Law. To order your Cyberbullying Special and help raise awareness about the foundation’s mission, click here.

“This year, David would have celebrated his 22nd birthday, and through David’s Legacy Foundation, we honor him by bringing awareness to National Bullying Prevention Month. We are very touched to have a continued partnership with Papa John’s through its Better Neighbors Program since 2018.” – Maurine Molak, David’s Legacy Foundation co-founder.

“As a family-owned business, we are honored to shine a light on David and his legacy through David’s Legacy Foundation by combatting cyberbullying,” “We are a local company that has supported our community for more than 25 years, and we are honored to continue to do that with dedicated groups through our Better Neighbors Program.” – Clark Mandigo, III, president and COO of Pizza Ventures of San Antonio, LLC.

David’s Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ending cyber-assisted bullying by educating communities about the harmful effects of cyber abuse, providing support for bullying victims, promoting kindness, and supporting legislation that prohibits the cyberbullying of minors.

David Bartlett Molak, aged 16, passed away on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. David had recently achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 809. Among David’s passions were hunting, fishing, and playing video games with his older brothers Cliff and Chris. He was extremely knowledgeable about professional football and could lead any fantasy association to success. David never passed up on an opportunity for an outdoor adventure or a chance to dominate his family in Monopoly. His infectious smile and sharp wit entertained his peers to the dismay of his teachers, but all in good fun.

Banned Books Week 2021

Photo: Banned Books Week

Coming up next week, September 26 through October 2 is Banned Books Week 2021. This year’s theme is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” Banned Books Weeks was established in 1982 in response to a sudden rise I the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. This event highlights the value of free and free access to information. It unites the community, including librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types, in their shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those that may be considered unorthodox or unpopular. (Banned Books Week, 2021)

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country.

The Top 10 Challenged Books of 2020 are:

  1. “George” by Alex Gino. Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community.”
  2. “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. Banned and challenged because of the author’s public statements and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people.
  3. “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism and because it was thought to promote antipolice views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now.”
  4. “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson. Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint, it was claimed to be biased against male students, and it included rape and profanity.
  5. “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of the author.
  6. “Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice” by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin. Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote antipolice views.
  7. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience.
  8. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes and their negative effect on students.
  9. “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison. Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.
  10. “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. Challenged for profanity, and because it was thought to promote an antipolice message.

eTown announces initial lineup for anniversary celebration

eTown is celebrating 30th b’Earthday with a virtual celebration on April 22. Photo: google

It has been 30 busy and productive years since the launch of eTown, the world-renowned radio show turned full-blown multimedia nonprofit. In honor of 30 years of great live music paired with social and environmental programming, eTown is throwing a party for the ages, honoring both its 30th birthday and eTown’s induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.  (eTown, 2021)

On Earth Day 2021, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, eTown’s 30th b’Earthday Celebration will air via live stream and feature performances from Los Lobos, The War and Treaty, Lyle Lovett, Bob Weir, Sam Bush, City and Colour, and Raquel Garcia. Former U.S. Senator and environmental advocate, Tim Wirth, will join for the conversation portion of the livestream. For more information on the b’Earthday Celebration including lineup additions, how to become a supporter of eTown, or to check out past shows and performances, please visit eTown online. 

“Helen and I started eTown in ’91 determined to try something new, to make a different kind of show, one that mixed music and message. It took us a while to find our voice and our place in the media landscape, but over the last three decades, we’ve not only presented—and played—a ton of remarkable live music, we’ve also shared really inspiring conversations and stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things on behalf of our shared environment.”  – eTown Founder and Host, Nick Forster

Before eTown, Nick toured and recorded for decades with IBMA Entertainers of the Year and Grammy nominees Hot Rize, amongst others, while Helen Forster made her mark as a co-owner and producer of the world famous Telluride Bluegrass Festival, while also performing herself.  This husband and wife team have taken everything they have seen, felt, and learned about music, the environment, and humanity and put it into practice through 30 years of remarkable eTown shows. 

Join Nick, Helen, and the rest of the eTown crew and community on April 22 to celebrate their amazing milestone in the only logical way: engaging song and conversation. 

eTown, the internationally syndicated radio broadcast, podcast, and multimedia- and events-production nonprofit, launched on Earth Day 1991 in Boulder, Colorado. Since then, eTown has produced musical, social, and environmental programming all focused on its ongoing global mission—to educate, entertain, and inspire a diverse audience through music and conversation to create a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable world. Prior to the pandemic, eTown recorded shows in front of a live audience in eTown Hall, a 17,000 square foot former church in downtown Boulder which has been renovated and transformed into a solar-powered performance and recording facility—likely the only zero-carbon facility of its kind in North America. Recently, eTown pivoted to all-virtual episodes.

 

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San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance mobilizes restaurants to feed South Texans

La Panaderia was one of 17 local restaurants that helped feed South Texans after devastating winter storms. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

After an unprecedented winter storm devastated San Antonio in mid-February, the South Texas food and beverage community quickly organized to provide relief. To help, the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance (SAFWA) collaborated with World Central Kitchen, Good Match, and Hopscotch to provide more than 8,600 free meals to neighbors in need. (San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, 2021)

The relief efforts were focused on vulnerable residents living in San Antonio’s District 5, many of whom experienced power outages for 1-4 days. Working with Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, the Alliance arranged meal delivery to 21 community sites.

“The San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance stepped up when District 5 needed help the most,” said Gonzales. “When so many of our neighbors were stranded with no food, water, or electricity, we relied on the Alliance to feed our most vulnerable. Their network of selfless community members became a lifeline. Their energy was our fuel, and their quick response was our inspiration.”

Although the Alliance’s work typically focuses on its culinary grant and educational programs, it realized the city would need all hands on deck. The nonprofit utilized its network in San Antonio’s culinary community to ensure hundreds of free meals could be prepared per day. The hospitality industry is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, but San Antonio’s food and beverage professionals were eager to join the efforts.

Meal deliveries were made possible by dozens of community volunteers, including representatives from the San Antonio Housing Authority and the San Antonio Fire Department. The initiative even drew the support of some high-profile helpers like U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and actor and activist Eva Longoria.

In total, 17 local restaurants, food trucks, and caterers distributed free meals February 20-23. Participants included:

• Botika
• Chelsea Catering/ Tony G’s Soul Food
• Full Belly Café + Bar
• The Good Kind
• Grupo La Gloria
• Guerrilla Gourmet
• Hello Paradise
• J’Dubs Burgers & Grub
• La Panadería
• Little Em’s Oyster Bar
• Meadow Neighborhood Eatery + Bar
• Naco Mexican
• Pedrotti’s Ranch
• Pharm Table
• Southerleigh Hospitality Group
• Teka Molino
• Toro Kitchen + Bar

The San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance was established in 2020, following a near-decade of success with the Austin Food & Wine Alliance. Even though the organization expanded in San Antonio just last year and will focus on culinary grants, educational programs, and events, the nonprofit jumped in quickly to support the city during its time of need.

“When a crisis hits, folks who want to help go with what they know. Our expertise is in bringing people together. We have an enormous amount of gratitude for the folks who were able to help. Despite the many challenges they were facing with their own businesses and in their own lives, so many people in the hospitality industry enthusiastically lent a helping hand. It has been an incredibly inspiring thing to see.” – Mariam Parker, SAFWA executive director

Whataburger and San Antonio Food Bank team up for fundraiser

Whataburger and San Antonio Food Bank team up for fundraiser for student hunger relief. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This month, as part of the Whataburger Feeding Student Success program, Whataburger is partnering with the San Antonio Food Bank to help fight hunger and provide meals for San Antonio’s most vulnerable, as there are 50,000 more children in need since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)

From Monday, October 5 at 3p.m. through Friday, October 30 at 12a.m., customers who donate $1 or more to the San Antonio Food Bank at any Whataburger location across San Antonio or Schertz will receive a thank-you coupon for a free Whataburger with purchase of a medium fry and 32-ounce drink. The $1 donation provides seven meals from the San Antonio Food Bank and helps reach their goal of providing 350,000 meals to local children.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non‐profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 530 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long‐term food security.

Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 840 locations in 10 states and sales of more than $2.5 billion annually. Whataburger has 46,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 14 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it.

“A few weeks ago we pulled the trigger on preparing thousands of meals a day for kids who were struggling with food. We needed a miracle to cover our unexpected expenses. Whataburger provides the opportunity for the magic, but the customer will be the real miracle maker. I have full hope that our great community will come through and make it happen.”-  Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank

“Too many families in our community struggle to put food on the table for their children, and since the pandemic began, we know more children than ever are facing food insecurity. We started the Whataburger Feeding Student Success program to remove obstacles for our students, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the San Antonio Food Bank to support families at a critical time, and get kids the nutrition they need to be healthy and successful.” – Rob Rodriguez, SVP and Chief Restaurant Operating Officer of Whataburger

North Star Mall food drive to benefit San Antonio Food Bank

North Star Mall be be hosting a food drive on Friday October 30 during which those who donate five or more items will receive a Cowboy Boots Fiesta Medal. Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission.

North Star Mall is holding a food drive on Friday, October 30 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank.  A San Antonio Food Bank truck and red donation bins will be on site to receive food items all under gray tents with orange trim — the orange symbolizing hunger awareness — at the corner of Rector and San Pedro. North Star Mall staff and volunteers from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Society for Design Administration (SDA) will man the contactless collection point.  While supplies last, they will also be handing out a commemorative, limited edition, Fiesta Medal of its iconic Cowboy Boots, including stars that light-up, to those donating five items or more. (North Star Mall, 2020)

The San Antonio Food Bank’s 12 most wanted foods are: peanut butter, cereal, tuna, beans, rice, mac ‘n cheese, canned chili and soups, baby food, canned meats, pet food, full meals boxed or canned and pop top food items.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 500 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security.

 “We created the medal to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World’s Largest Cowboy Boots, along with the memory of its creator, the late Bob ‘Daddy-O’ Wade. It was our intent to offer the medals during Fiesta, but no one could foresee the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic also affected our ability to host CANstruction, an event where we would have typically partnered with architects, engineers and contractor teams representing the San Antonio chapters of the AIA and SDA. The event benefits the SA Food Bank during Hunger Action Month. This is our way of giving back to the community and helping such a worthy cause.” – Brenda Crawford, Sr. General Manager, North Star Mall.