HOUSTON – The Houston Texans and the Houston Food Bank have formed a strategic community partnership, the two organizations announced in a news conference today. The Texans will support the Food Bank financially and through a variety of programs.
One of the most visible signs of the partnership will be the Houston Texans Cafe at the new Food Bank distribution facility located at 535 Portwall, located near East I-10 and the East 610 Loop. The cafe, which could serve anywhere from 300 to 1,000 people daily, is part of a $500,000 donation from the Houston Texans Foundation. The Houston Texans Cafe will be a main gathering place for the Food Bank's thousands of weekly volunteers to come together, eat lunch or enjoy a break and a snack.
The Texans and the Food Bank have partnered each of the last two years to host Taste of the Texans, a glamorous food tasting event held at Reliant Stadium featuring over 30 of Houston's most prestigious restaurants. To date, the event has raised over $200,000 for the Food Bank and other charitable causes in Houston. Restaurants such as Ruggles, House of Blues, Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar and Del Frisco's were on hand to serve some of their signature dishes to the crowd in attendance.
The Food Bank and Texans owner Bob McNair also helped make Houston the first NFL city to join the Souper Bowl of Caring in 2004. The first Souper Bowl of Caring raised $5,000 in Columbia, S.C. and has grown to a nation-wide food drive which has raised more than $10 million in each of the last three years.
With the help of Mr. McNair and the Texans, the event has expanded into seven NFL cities. The 2011 Souper Bowl of Caring will kick off on Wednesday, January 12 at Reliant Stadium.
The Food Bank is the third strategic community partner of the Texans, joining the Houston Texans YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
