El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank

What El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank does

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and operating as the only food bank serving El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties in the U.S.–Mexico border region. Its core function is large-scale food collection, storage, and distribution to food-insecure individuals and families, delivered through an on-site Mercado choice pantry that serves over 1,000 families daily and a network of more than 130 nonprofit and faith-based partner agencies across the three-county region. In 2024 the organization distributed 112.1 million pounds of food and served 166,772 people in 2025, ranking as the 6th largest food bank in the United States by distribution volume and 78th on Forbes' America's Top 100 Charities list for two consecutive years.

The organization's operational technology stack centers on three industry-standard SaaS platforms: Link2Feed (mandatory client database used across the partner pantry network for every distribution), GivePulse (volunteer management and hour tracking), and Blackbaud (donor management and online donation processing). It is a member of the Feeding America and Feeding Texas networks, and 88% of its food supply is sourced externally through USDA TEFAP, Feeding America, and Feeding Texas partnerships. Beyond direct food distribution, the organization operates a portfolio of adjacent programs: SNAP and Medicaid application assistance, the SPARK! 8-week logistics and warehouse training program (offering MSSC, OSHA 10, Forklift, and ServSafe certifications), a CDBG-funded Teaching Kitchen for nutrition education, the CSFP monthly food box program for seniors 60+, an advocacy network, and Hunger Warriors, a $25+/month recurring giving club.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions rather than commercial sales. Streams include individual donations (where $1 provides approximately seven meals), corporate partnerships and event sponsorships (Noche de Estrellas Gala, Stamp Out Hunger, MLK Day of Service), government food program allocations (USDA TEFAP, Texas ARPA, CDBG), foundation and corporate grants (notably a $300,000 anonymous matching gift in 2024), and planned giving vehicles including bequests, charitable gift annuities, and IRA rollovers. The organization reports that 99.6% of every donated dollar reaches programs and services. Services are provided at no cost to recipients, with no eligibility verification required beyond Texas residency.

Name

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank

Legal name

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank

Website

https://elpasoansfightinghunger.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit food bank serving El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties. It distributes food through an on-site Mercado pantry and 130+ partner agencies, and operates SNAP assistance, workforce training, and nutrition education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

El Paso

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute monetary donations and food items to support food bank operations. Every $1 donated provides approximately 7 meals to families in need.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support through event sponsorships, grants, cause marketing campaigns, matching gift programs, and employee volunteer programs. Includes Noche de Estrellas Gala and Stamp Out Hunger food drive sponsorships.
3. Government Food Programs: Distribution of federal food through USDA programs and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) to eligible individuals and families.
4. Planned Giving & Estate Gifts: Accepts planned gifts including bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, IRA rollovers, real estate, and donor advised fund grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank collects, stores, and distributes food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties. The core operation centers on the Mercado, an on-site choice pantry serving 1,000+ families daily, supplemented by a 130+ partner agency distribution network. Beyond food distribution, the organization delivers SNAP application assistance, a workforce training program (SPARK!), a senior food box program (CSFP), a Teaching Kitchen for nutrition education, and mobile pantry distributions reaching underserved areas.

Product overview

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank operates as a multi-program food assistance organization with a core food distribution infrastructure supplemented by workforce development, education, and advocacy programs. The centerpiece is the Mercado, an on-site choice pantry serving over 1,000 families daily, supported by a network of 65+ partner pantries across three counties. The organization offers SNAP application assistance, the SPARK! workforce training program, a Teaching Kitchen for nutrition education, and the CSFP senior food box program. Additional programs include the Hunger Warriors monthly giving club, corporate partnerships, food drive coordination, volunteer management, an advocacy network, and planned giving options. The Pantry Portal provides partner agencies with online tools for managing their operations and accessing resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hunger Warriors: Monthly giving program where donors contribute $25 or more monthly to support ongoing hunger relief efforts
• SPARK!
• Teaching Kitchen
• Mercado

Products and services

• Mercado (On-Site Food Distribution) On-site choice pantry at 9541 Plaza Circle where individuals and families select food items meeting household needs. Provides a dignified shopping experience and serves over 1,000 families daily, sometimes up to 1,500 per day. Open Tuesday-Friday 8:30AM-4PM. No referral or ID required, though a Texas address is needed.
• Partner Pantry Network Network of 130+ nonprofit and faith-based partner agencies across El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties that distribute food to families experiencing food insecurity. Partner agencies access food from EPFH warehouse and serve as neighborhood distribution points with varying hours.
• SNAP Assistance Program Free SNAP application assistance program where coordinators help individuals and families apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as the Lone Star Card. Services include application help, document preparation, home visits, and assistance with Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, and other benefit programs.
• SPARK! Logistics and Warehouse Training An 8-week workforce training program that blends classroom learning with hands-on experience in logistics, warehousing, and distribution. Free to participants with industry-recognized certifications including MSSC CLA, MSSC CLT, Forklift Certification, ServSafe, and OSHA 10. Includes job placement assistance. Open to adults aged 18+.
• Teaching Kitchen Fully equipped culinary classroom built in partnership with the City of El Paso for hands-on nutrition and cooking education. Features professional cooking stations, live demonstration screens, and classroom seating. Must primarily serve low- to moderate-income individuals due to CDBG funding requirements.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 = 7 meals provided to families in need
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, key and notable.

• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Provides access to national food sourcing, shared resources, advocacy support, and network best practices.
• Feeding TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Feeding Texas network of food banks. Participates in state-level advocacy, including Farm Bill protection efforts and TEFAP program support.
• USDAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal food source providing food commodities through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). 88% of food comes from outside the region through partnerships including USDA.
• Marathon PetroleumflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSince 2021, eightfold increase in families served monthly from 50 to 400. $75,000 grant in 2024, renewed annual gala sponsorship (Noche de Estrellas). Monthly volunteer distributions at refinery with refrigerated trailer provided. Partnership valued for significant community impact.
• FirstLight Federal Credit UnionkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerMLK Day of Service sponsor. Provided volunteer support and funding to make annual Day of Service event possible. Ongoing commitment to community service.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerica250 initiative partnership - donated truckload of food to families across three counties. El Paso was one of 250 communities selected nationally.
• The Hospitals of ProvidencenotableGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive to address summer food insecurity when children lose access to school meals.
• Dutch BrosnotableGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive Dutch Luv drinks campaign - $1 donated to EPFH for each featured drink purchased at multiple El Paso locations.
• American Red CrossnotableGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity blood drive partnership. Hosted blood drive event at EPFH headquarters to address critically low blood donations.
• The Outlet Shoppes at El PasonotableGTM or Marketing PartnerFood Fight fundraiser campaign - participating food vendors collect receipts with 10% donated to food bank. Includes friendly competition with Golden Asparagus trophy.
• City of El PasokeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilt Teaching Kitchen in partnership with City of El Paso. Kitchen was funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and serves as fully equipped culinary classroom.
• Kelly Center for Hunger ReliefkeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongest-serving partner agency at 915 N. Florence. Only partner pantry open five days a week in the region. Provides fresh produce, pantry staples, and emergency food boxes to many families annually.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner recognized for transparency and accountability. Participates in employee giving campaigns and network partnerships.
• H-E-BnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner providing food donations and support for food bank operations.
• AlbertsonsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner contributing to food bank mission through donations and community support.
• Texas Department of AgriculturenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy found significant food insecurity in West El Paso County (35% of residents), informing new 14.7-acre West El Paso facility expansion.
• Health and Human Services Community Partner ProgramnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to ensure SNAP and Medicaid beneficiaries maintain coverage during renewal periods. Joint events and application assistance.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Midwest Food Bank: Multi-state food bank with a strong volunteer and faith-based engagement model. Comparable partner-pantry approach and cost-efficiency metrics, useful as a benchmark for capital efficiency.

Direct peers

• North Texas Food Bank: Major Texas-based Feeding America affiliate serving the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Comparable in operating model (warehouse distribution, partner pantry network, mobile distributions, nutrition education) and federal/state funding reliance.
• Gleaners Community Food Bank: Michigan-based regional food bank with similar warehouse-and-partner-agency distribution model. Comparable size tier (top-15 nationally) and workforce development program offerings.
• Houston Food Bank: Largest food bank in Texas and among the largest in the US. Operates a comparable mix of direct distribution, partner agency network, SNAP outreach, and workforce programs in a major Texas metro, serving as a scale benchmark for Texas food bank operations.
• West Texas Food Bank: EPFH's predecessor organization (split in 2016). Operates as a direct peer food bank in the same broader West Texas geography, with overlapping corporate donor bases and comparable distribution programs.
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: One of the largest US food banks serving a major metro with a high food-insecurity population. Comparable in scale and program mix; often cited alongside EPFH in top-10 food bank rankings.
• San Antonio Food Bank: Another top-tier Texas food bank serving a large border-adjacent population. Comparable mission, similar reliance on USDA/TEFAP programs, and analogous mix of SNAP assistance, partner pantries, and workforce development.
• Food Bank of the Rockies: Large regional food bank serving Colorado and Wyoming. Comparable scale tier, similar partner agency model, and analogous workforce and nutrition programs; useful benchmark for non-Texas growth trajectories.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National umbrella network of 200+ food banks including EPFH. Highly comparable as the parent-level entity that supplies the majority of EPFH's external food sourcing (88%) and provides shared branding, advocacy, and operational frameworks.
• Feeding Texas: State-level network of Texas food banks. Directly comparable as EPFH's state affiliate, coordinating Farm Bill advocacy, TEFAP distribution, and shared operational resources across the Texas hunger-relief ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ElPasoans
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@elpasoansfightinghunger
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElPasoansFightingHunger
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/el-pasoans-fighting-hunger-food-bank-epfh
• Instagraminstagram.com/elpasoansfightinghunger

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank