The Houston Texans will host a special game day food drive on Sunday, October 31, 2004 as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium. From 10 a.m. to noon, the Texans encourage fans to make donations of nonperishable food items and other essentials, which will be distributed to the less fortunate in our community by the Houston Food Bank. Donation containers will be located at six of Reliant Stadium's public entrance gates.

"With this generous show of support for the community by the Texans, needy Houstonians will get necessary assistance now and during the upcoming holiday season, one of the biggest times of need," says Houston Food Bank Executive Director Brenda Kirk.

Items most requested include protein such as canned meat, tuna and peanut butter, along with soup, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, rice and beans.

One-hundred percent of the food, essentials and cash collected during this Houston Texans' food drive will be distributed exclusively in the Greater Houston area.

For those who would prefer to make cash contributions, donations can be made securely online via the “Virtual Food Drive".

The Houston Food Bank, now in its 22nd year of operation, is a private, nonprofit organization that feeds the hungry by providing food and other essentials to more than 400 member programs in 18 southeast Texas counties. Since its inception, the Houston Food Bank has distributed more than 343 million pounds of food to pantries, shelters for the homeless, nutrition programs for children and the elderly, and disaster relief efforts. In addition to its food distribution activities, the Houston Food Bank provides nutrition education directly to those in need through programs including Kids Cafe and Operation Frontline. The Houston Food Bank is a certified affiliate of America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network.