The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley has received a donation of $8,400 from the India Association of the Rio Grande Valley. The India Association launched their “Stop Hunger” campaign in June and then extended it through July. Their goal is to provide as many meals possible to families in need amid the global pandemic. “India Association of RGV is always at the forefront of helping humanity. We are…
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley recently received a generous donation from DHR gastroenterologist Dr. Murthy Badiga to support the food bank’s on-going ‘Resource Readiness and Response’ Campaign. Badiga’s personal donation of $4,000 will provide up to 20,000 meals for those in need in the Rio Grande Valley. “The Food Bank RGV is a great organization doing an awesome job of helping those in need with life sustaining…
Three Rio Grande Valley communities rank at the top of Texas cities of their size in a statewide competition that focuses on healthy actions like doing a workout, eating notorious food and drinking ample amounts of water. McAllen, Harlingen and Los Fresnos each finished first among all cities of their population ranges in the 2020 It’s Time Texas Community Challenge. The competition recorded an eight week-period of time this year…
Andrew “Andy” Harvey Jr. is the City of Pharr’s new chief of police. Harvey was appointed by interim City Manager Ed Wylie and then confirmed by the Pharr City Commission. He was sworn into office at a Pharr City Commission meeting by Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez. “Having the opportunity to return to the Valley in a fast-growing, dynamic city and region is incredible,” said Harvey. “I look forward…
We have all been deluged with local, state, national and international statistics about COVID-19 in recent months. The term “underlying conditions” is often cited in describing those who have become critically ill or who have passed away. There has been more limited information about the actions individuals and communities can take to improve the chances of fighting COVID-19 and other deadly viruses and diseases. Eddie Olivarez, the chief administrator for…
The City of Pharr set up an emergency business loan program similar to other cities – and then did one better in reaching out to its community. The city established the Pharr COVID Recovery Center at its events center to handle all sort of inquiries related to the pandemic outbreak. Among those questions is how local businesses can apply for funds from the Pharr CARES Small Business Loan Program. It…
Sergio Contreras, the president and CEO of the RGV Partnership, has been elected chairman of the Border Trade Alliance. Contreras takes the helm of the BTA board during a time of challenge for the cross-border trade community. “I am honored to assume the chairmanship of the Border Trade Alliance, one of the nation’s most respected trade advocacy groups, at a time when our work has never been more important,” Contreras…
A recent $332,042 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to South Texas College will continue to provide customized training to the workforce for local industry partners. TWC’s Skills Development Fund will provide funding to train 181 new and incumbent workers in advanced manufacturing. “We are committed to fostering long-term sustained economic growth by providing superior workforce training programs to local business and industry partners,” said South Texas College Associate Dean of…
The Pharr Economic Development Corporation is helping businesses recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier this month, the members of the Pharr EDC board of directors approved the Pharr CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Support). Similar to the federal financial relief program, Pharr CARES provides financial relief in the form of working capital. The forgivable grants between $2,500 and $5,000 are for businesses who have been negatively impacted by the…
“Be prepared, not scared. Be proactive, not reactive.” ~ Stuart I.R. Haniff. When your mission is to fight hunger and to feed hope, countless people in your community are relying on you to be prepared. Stuart I. R. Haniff, the chief executive officer of the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley Inc., took that mission to heart in preparing his organization’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Haniff and his…