Texas City, TX – May 17, 2022 – Galveston County Food Bank announced today that it received a $50,000 grant from the Morgan Stanley Foundation to expand food choices. This approach offers families, children and communities of color in Galveston County increased choice among available foods or food boxes at Galveston County Food Bank’s partner agencies or program sites, providing healthy options and ensuring access to foods aligned with preferences and dietary requirements. Now in its second year, this national grant is focused on increasing access to a variety of nutritious foods by addressing barriers that families face in their communities and enhancing their experience through choice. The funds will provide a unique opportunity for Galveston County Food Bank to explore increasing choice in food distribution models in Galveston County while maintaining COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Since the start of the pandemic, food insecurity has significantly affected families with children, especially those in rural communities and communities of color. One in 6 people, including 1 in 5 children, face hunger in Galveston County. Galveston County Food Bank, a member of the Feeding America^® network, is one of 200-member food banks receiving this funding from the Morgan Stanley Foundation. It is projected that this grant will enable Galveston County Food Bank to assist its pantry partners in transitioning to Choice pantries. Due to Covid 19, area pantries modified their delivery services to drive-thru only, disrupting prior efforts by the Food Bank to assist partnering agencies in establishing pantries with on-site shopping and client selection.

“A Choice pantry program provides not only a dignified food assistance experience for our neighbors in need, but the program helps toward reducing food waste in clients’ homes,” said Karee Freeman, Nutrition Education Coordinator for the Food Bank. “Clients select what they know will be eaten. This method of food delivery also facilitates access to foods that meet dietary restrictions and cultural sensitivity.”

Not all pantries have the space and ability to convert to a Choice model. The Food Bank’s Nutrition team provides options for distributing healthier foods starting with product selection when filling the pantry shelves and nudging clients toward nutrient-rich products.

“A diet filled with fruits and vegetables is a must,” continues Freeman. “But it’s also important to show how to prepare produce that maybe more common to a specific culture. We are so appreciative of the Morgan Stanley Foundation for providing the funds to break down barriers and provide our neighbors with the opportunity to choose food that best fits their needs.”

 Feeding America will support member food banks in identifying appropriate ways to engage neighbors experiencing food insecurity during the expansion of food choices. In addition, the organization will engage in a formal evaluation process to better understand how increasing choice affects children and their families.

“The Morgan Stanley Foundation has been dedicated for over half a century to ensuring children receive a healthy start to life, and we’re proud to support the Feeding America network to offer increased choice to families experiencing food insecurity,” said Joan Steinberg, Managing Director, Global Head of Philanthropy at Morgan Stanley. “Millions of people experience food insecurity in the United States, which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic, and we are pleased to work with Feeding America to help fight hunger and support children and families in innovative ways.”

Morgan Stanley has a long-standing commitment to helping communities facing hunger and has provided more than $41.7 million over the last decade to Feeding America, to support hunger-relief programs that deliver food assistance and healthy meals to children and families across the country.

To learn more about how you can join the fight to end hunger, visit www.galvestoncountyfoodbank.org.

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About Galveston County Food Bank

The Galveston County Food Bank provides easy access to nutritional food for the economically disadvantaged, underserved populations of Galveston County through a network of participating charitable organizations, schools and food bank-managed programs focused on serving vulnerable populations. We also provide these individuals and families with resources beyond food, connecting them to other agencies and services that can assist with needs such as childcare, job placement, family therapy, healthcare and other resources that can help get them back on their feet and on the path to recovery and/or self-sufficiency. Visit www.galvestoncountyfoodbank.org, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 41 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com. 

About Feeding America

Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 6.6 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.