San Antonio has ranked third among metropolitan cities for highest percentage of people in poverty, out of 25 of the nation’s largest cities between 2023-2024, falling below Houston and Detroit according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of San Antonio residents, 13% live below the poverty line, placing the city above the average of other states.
With poverty comes the demand for assistance programs, such as Haven For Hope and the San Antonio Food Bank. Many people within San Antonio use these programs to support themselves and their families. The San Antonio Food Bank has existed since 1980, serving the diverse area of Southwest Texas. The Paisano spoke with the President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank Eric Cooper, who stated that the 29 counties in Texas see over 105,000 people a week.
“We are working as hard as we can to collect donated food from farmers and growers, food manufacturers, wholesalers [and] great grocery retailers. We have the world’s best here at HEB, restaurants, hotels, caterers, hosting food drives,” Cooper said…