H-E-B’s annual Feast of Sharing will be delivered this year

H-E-B’s traditional holiday meal served to Texans across the state will look different this year to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Instead of hosting a free feast for residents in need, the food company is collaborating with 18 food banks to distribute food. Locally, H-E-B has donated more than 10,800 meals and 40,000 pounds of produce to the San Antonio Food Bank for its distribution event at the AT&T Center on Tuesday.

“There’s no reason why any woman, child, senior or veteran — that anyone — should go hungry. We’re just trying to do the right thing,” said Danny Flores, senior manager of H-E-B’s hunger relief program.

H-E-B and Food Bank employees and volunteers will load the vehicles of residents in the AT&T parking lot with meals, produce and small gifts.

Flores said H-E-B has donated more than 340,000 meals to help food banks across the state in November and December.

Separately, H-E-B also has partnered up with Meals on Wheels – a tradition that started before the pandemic to deliver meals to residents in need who are homebound.

The Tuesday distribution will include more than food. Gift cards, gas cards, coloring books, blankets, masks, books, movie passes and more also will be donated by several local companies, including Spurs Give, Frost Bank, Valero and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, among others.

“The pandemic has seen thousands more hurting in our community. Imagine the anxiety the holidays bring and then add on top of it not having food. It breaks your heart,” said Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

Residents in need of a warm holiday meal can visit the San Antonio Food Bank’s website to register for the distribution.

Matthew Busch / Contributor file photo Attendees enjoy their holiday meals during the annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing event at the Convention Center last year. About 14,000 people were served.