In the seventh episode, the Bexar Facts team sits down with Eric Cooper to unpack his experience with the San Antonio Food Bank, his personal experience with homelessness in the family, and growing a small organization into a massive movement. Demonte Alexander, and Liza Barratachea discuss all this and more!
About Eric Cooper:
After his parents divorced and he found his dad homeless on the streets, Eric realized the great need for food banks and taking care of the homeless. Since then he has served over twenty years with food banks and has helped provide thousands of homeless people in south Texas with a healthy meal.
About Bexar Facts:
At Bexar Facts, we amplify the voice of the people to shape the future of our community. We gather and share fact-based data on the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the greater San Antonio area. With the Bexar Facts podcast we breathe life into our data. We aim to level the
playing field by producing real conversations, with real people and bringing scientific data directly to your fingertips. Bexar Facts, your trusted local source for community data.
Show Notes:
(0:35) Introductions
(03:07) How the Food Bank supplies for 16 counties
(05:53) Changes Eric Brought to the Food Bank
(10:40) Operational Efficiency
(12:30) Pandemic Effects on Poverty
(22:00) Emergency Strategies
(24:34) Food Bank Footprint
(26:00) Bexar Facts Polls on Homeless Population
(31:00) Erics Magic Wand?
(33:21) Business and food
(34:10) Bexar Facts contribution
(37:14) Conclusion
Links:
Bexar Facts: https://www.bexarfacts.org/about/