With the support of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, The South Texas Food Bank’s community health fair returns this Thursday, November 17th with the goal of raising awareness about the factors that contribute to and the health risks associated with food insecurity.

The free event will feature over 20 organizations that will offer a wide variety of information and services; the music of the J.B. Alexander High School Mariachi “Monumental de Oro”; food treats and refreshments; and, a farmers mercado featuring a wide variety of seasonal produce that the attendees will be able to take home for free (Limit 300).

Attendees will also be entered in a raffle for a wide variety of door prizes, including frozen turkeys.

 
Participating agencies and organizations include: Area Health Education Center, Chicanos Por La Causa, City of Laredo Health Department, Doctors Hospital, Driscoll Health, Plan Enroll 4 Health, Gateway Community Health Center, Imagine My Smile, Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, Med Team, Inc., MHP Salud, Molina Health Care, New Life Home Health, Planet Dental, Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Services, SCAN, South Texas Development Council – Area Agency on Aging, Texas A&M University Colonias, and the Texas Health and Human Services.

“Our seasonal health fairs are becoming events that both our clients and the community look forward to,” said Alma Boubel, South Texas Food Bank Executive Director. “We are very grateful for the support of the community, local agencies and businesses. We wouldn’t be able to have this event without them.”

Boubel noted that their Spring health fair drew over 500 family units, making it the most successful health fair that the food bank has hosted to date.

This year’s title sponsor is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) - the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and health care practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve more than 6 million members in all 254 counties.

This partnership is an extension of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas’s collaboration with Feeding America.

“We’ve seen food insecurity in our communities amplified since the pandemic. As the state's largest health plan, we must be part of the solution when it comes of transforming people’s lives whether that is providing access to cost-effective, high-quality health care or helping to reduce barriers in accessing nutritious food. That’s why we teamed up with Feeding America to continue our support of local food banks. We want to help ensure everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food,” said Sheena Payne, director of BCBSTX’s Community Investments.

The Fall Health Fair presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will be at the South Texas Food Bank (2121 Jefferson St.) from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Products and services are free of charge and will be on a first come, first served basis. Due to the expected high-volume attendance, attendees are encouraged to observe health safety protocols.