On November 9, Laredo-based IBC Bank and Commerce Bank held a press conference at its main office to announce that all their branches in their Laredo, Roma, Zapata, Eagle Pass and Del Rio markets will be collecting canned foods from November 15 through December 15 to benefit the South Texas Food Bank. Joining the press conference were IBC Bank and food bank staff, as well as members of the community.

IBC Branch lobbies in Laredo, Zapata, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Hebbronville, Roma and Rio Grande City will participate and provide collection bins to which the communities may bring their non-perishable canned goods.

“Inflation is challenging all families to make ends meet during these difficult times,” says Gabriel Castillo, senior vice president of marketing. “IBC and Commerce Banks want to do their part and invite others to join in the effort to fight hunger through this food drive.”

“We serve an average of 615,000 people on a monthly basis,” says Alma Boubel, South Texas Food Bank CEO. “That is a lot of people whose lives we touch, especially the young children and the elderly—they are the most vulnerable.” She also notes that last year the food bank was distributed 20 million pounds of food with the help of donors, supporters and its partner agencies.

“We are so grateful to IBC for doing this hunger-relief campaign,” Boubel adds. “Sadly, every day more and more are struggling to make ends meet. Food drives are a great way not only to directly combat hunger, but also serve to create awareness about realities of hunger that our border and South Texas communities face every day, where the average poverty rate is 30 percent.”

Established in 1966, IBC Bank operates more than 160 branches in Texas and Oklahoma.

Pictured above: Andrew Garza and Angie Osterman with the South Texas Food Bank; Gabriel Castillo, IBC Bank’s Senior Marketing vice president; South Texas Food Bank CEO Alma Boubel; and South Texas Food Bank’s Albert Garza and Francisco Reyes.