Provisions is a nonprofit food pantry located in the Texas Hill Country, serving neighbors who are lacking life’s immediate necessities. Founded in 1991 by an alliance of four local churches, the founders recognized a tremendous need for a community service organization to help those struggling in the community with emergency assistance for food, clothing, utilities, and other needs during personal crises. Although each church was ministering to those in need, they knew that together they could serve more people more efficiently and with more impact than they could individually.
The churches formed Bulverde/Spring Branch Community Service, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, in June of 1995 with a board of directors and a staff of volunteers assembled from each of the supporting churches. Over the years these congregations have provided donations of food, clothing, household items, services, and money that have allowed the organization to provide immediate assistance to those in need. The organization became a United Way agency shortly after incorporation, and continues to be the only United Way-sponsored agency of this type in the western part of Comal County. In addition, the organization also quickly became a member of the San Antonio Food Bank network and has been recognized by them for going above and beyond what is provided by most members.
Effective November 2007, the organization changed its name from Bulverde/Spring Branch Community Service, Inc. to “Bulverde Food Pantry” to eliminate name confusion with other similar sounding Bulverde-area organizations. After six years of operating as the Bulverde Food Pantry, the organization has changed its name to “Provisions” to better represent the multiple provisions offered to those in need in the community. Although based in Bulverde, Provisions is an open pantry, serving anyone who enters and states a need for help.
Our tagline, “A 25:35 Outreach” has a very significant meaning. 25:35 is a reference to Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” As a Christian-based organization, we recognize our responsibility to take care of those in need, and we proudly exclaim to the world that this responsibility is the foundation of our efforts.
And our logo is significant in many ways. First, we learn several times in the Gospels of Jesus feeding the multitudes, and the symbol of the bread and fish represent these miracles and our desire to feed those in need. Next, our organization was founded in 1991 when several churches came together to fill a service need in the community, and the ichthys represents our Christian foundation. Next, the colors of brown and blue represent the heavens and the earth, and the figure at the top represents the person who gives so graciously of their time, talent, and treasure to care for those in need in the communities we serve.
Our Mission: To assist individuals and families who are struggling to meet the basic needs of day-to-day living, and to improve their quality of life.
Our Purpose: To serve neighbors who are lacking life’s immediate necessities, and to provide assistance and guidance toward a better life.
Our Vision: To do much more than help people live day-to-day; to provide families and individuals with the tools and resources necessary to empower them to move toward more productive and responsible living.