• Marcus Torres – Austwell-Tivoli Food Pantry
    Jun 10 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 02, Episode 07 Marcus Torres – Austwell-Tivoli Food Pantry

    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: Marcus Torres, Austwell-Tivoli Food Pantry

    In this episode of the Hunger Action Heroes podcast by the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, host Chris Doelle interviews Marcus Torres of the Austwell-Tivoli Food Pantry. Marcus shares his background, how he 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.

    The interview concludes with Chris thanking Marcus for sharing his story and the work of the Austwell-Tivoli 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.

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Kelli Metzenthin – Columbus Food Pantry
    May 1 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 02, Episode 06 Kelli Metzenthin – Columbus Food Pantry

    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:

    • (0:00) Introduction and Kelli’s background and move to Columbus.
    • (1:00) Kelli discusses her diverse three-part career path over 39 years.
    • (2:38) Kelli explains how she got involved with the Columbus Food Pantry.
    • (4:16) Overview of the services provided by the Columbus Food Pantry.
    • (5:28) Discussion on dependency and community collaboration.
    • (6:38) The growth in the number of people served.
    • (7:18) Details on the food items distributed.
    • (9:03) The funding sources for the Columbus Food Pantry.
    • (10:46) The vital role of volunteers and the relationship with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent.
    • (12:59) Kelli gives a shout-out to specific staff members at the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent.
    • (13:50) The outlook for the pantry’s future.
    • (15:56) The geographic service area covered.
    • (17:18) How to find and contact the Columbus Food Pantry.
      • Online: columbusfoodpantry.org
      • Facebook: Search for “Columbus food pantry
      • Physically: Their distribution site is located at 419 Washington Street in Columbus. This is at the Family Life Center for the First United Methodist Church of Columbus. The church is described as incredibly gracious, having built a pantry space for them.

    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!

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    Less than 1 minute
  • How Disasters Affect the Food Bank
    Apr 14 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 02, Episode 05 Robin Cadle – Frances Santellana

    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.

    • 0:00 Introduction
    • 0:35 Preparing for Potential Disasters
    • 1:30 How Disasters Change Daily Operations
    • 2:30 Lessons Learned from Previous Disasters
    • 3:45 Coordination During Disasters
    • 5:15 Memorable Disaster Stories
    • 8:15 Community Response During Disasters
    • 10:30 Coordination with Feeding America and Feeding Texas
    • 11:15 Impact of Disasters on Current Practices
    • 12:45 The Dedicated Team
    • 14:00 How the Public Can Help
    • 15:30 Challenges of Mobile Distributions During Disasters
    • 16:45 Conclusion

    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!

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Angela Alexander – God’s Storehouse
    Apr 3 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 02, Episode 04 Angela Alexander – God’s Storehouse

    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!

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Jan Stokes – SHARE
    Mar 23 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 02, Episode 03 Jan Stokes – SHARE

    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!

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Clark Powers – Eagle Lake Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry
    Mar 14 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 02, Episode 02 Clark Powers – Eagle Lake Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry

    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!

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Mike and Christina Olson – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Mar 3 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 02, Episode 01 Mike and Christina Olson – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

    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!

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Pastor Ruben – Bayside Community Church
    Feb 23 2025
    Hunger Action Heroes Podcast Season 01, Episode 12 Pastor Ruben – Bayside Community Church

    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!

    Show more Show less
    Less than 1 minute