Prosper Waco visits with Paster Rubén Andrade, Jr., a leader in empowering local communities of faith to end hunger in Waco through ingenuity and collaboration.
Family of Faith Worship Center has been on the front lines of addressing food insecurity in Waco for over a decade. From simple beginnings distributing bread from a folding table to now serving over 1,200 families a month— reaching over 2,000 including partner sites—through a growing network of mobile food pantries, their mission has expanded to empower other churches to join the cause. In this conversation with Prosper Waco, Pastor Ruben Andrade shares his journey and vision for how faith communities can (and must) play a pivotal role in fighting hunger in our community.
PW: Ruben, you've been involved in food provision for quite some time. Can you tell us how it all began at Family of Faith Church?
Ruben: It all started around 2009. One Sunday, we received a call from Caritas of Waco, offering us some loaves of bread they couldn’t use. I thought, why not distribute it after service? We set up a six-foot folding table, and just like that, we started giving away bread. It was a simple gesture, but people were so grateful, and it made me realize there was a much larger need in our community. Over time, that small effort grew. What began as a folding table turned into a pickup truck, a trailer, and eventually a semi. Today, Family of Faith serves over 1,200 families every week, 2,000 families if you count the churches who are partnering with us as distribution sites.
PW: What did you begin to notice as the food distribution grew? How did you realize the need was so much greater?
Ruben: At first, I just observed the people coming to receive food. Many shared stories about financial struggles, unemployment, or difficult circumstances. I could relate deeply to them because I grew up in South Waco and, as a kid, my family had relied on places like Caritas when my family needed help. It hit me that Caritas had been there for us, and now I could pay it forward. Over time, I also began seeing that food insecurity wasn't just affecting the homeless—it was reaching the working class, too. That's when we knew we had to scale up our efforts.
PW: In 2019, you received a grant from the Central Texas Food Bank that helped expand your capacity. Can you talk about that and how it impacted your work?
Ruben: That grant was a game-changer. It allowed us to build a small warehouse, purchase a box truck, and get refrigeration and shelving. With those upgrades, we could better store and distribute food. By 2024, we were able to start offering mobile food distributions at five different locations in Waco, which has allowed us to reach even more people. The goal is to train other churches to do the same, so the work grows and becomes a collective effort across our community.
PW: I love that you're now working to empower other churches to take on food distribution. What is your vision for that?
Ruben: The goal is to equip churches with the tools and knowledge they need to host their own food pantries. Many churches are trusted members of their communities, and by partnering with the Central Texas Food Bank, they can receive food to distribute locally. For us, it’s about building capacity—not just in terms of food storage, but also in manpower and volunteer training. We want churches to have their own infrastructure, so they can serve their neighborhoods effectively. That’s the vision: a network of churches working together to end hunger. And, in partnership with Prosper Waco and the Hunger-Free Community Coalition, we’re hoping to be able to provide mini-grants for other churches in our community who want to host mobile food distributions programs for their own neighborhoods but may be lacking the resources to do so.
PW: I understand that you're also focusing on mobile food distributions. What’s behind this approach?
Ruben: Transportation is a big barrier for many people. A lot of those in need can’t get to our church for food distribution because they lack a vehicle. That’s why we started mobile food distributions in different neighborhoods around Waco. We try to be strategic by offering services in the evening when working families are available. Our mobile units travel to the north, south, east, and west sides of the city to ensure we meet people where they are. The goal is not just to provide food, but to make it accessible to everyone.
PW: Tell us about Family of Faith’s mobile food pantry—how does it work?
Ruben: Our mobile pantry is really exciting. We recently purchased a 26-foot climate-controlled
trailer, which we call our "mobile mini-mart." It’s fully equipped with shelves, freezers, refrigerators, and air conditioning. People can walk in, choose their groceries, and walk out the other side. It's a huge step forward because it allows us to serve in all kinds of weather—rain, heat, or cold—and we don’t have to unload and set up every time we go out. We simply drive in, open the doors, and start serving.
Q: You’re also bringing a holistic approach to addressing food insecurity, right?
Ruben: Yes, we believe in addressing food insecurity from a holistic perspective. In addition to providing groceries, we’ve started a community garden at our church to grow organic fruits and vegetables, which we distribute to families. Through community partnerships, we also offer cooking and gardening classes, as well as health screenings. It’s not just about giving away food—it’s about empowering people to take charge of their health and well-being. My hope is that other churches will embrace this holistic approach and create similar programs in their communities.
Q: Why do you believe faith communities are uniquely positioned to tackle food insecurity?
Ruben: The church is a trusted source in most neighborhoods, and people look to it for support. When the church is involved in serving the community, it not only provides food but also hope and a sense of dignity. If the church can meet people’s basic needs, like hunger, it can also address broader issues like mental health, children’s development, and overall well-being. As I often tell people, "Today it's them, tomorrow it could be us." We can’t ignore the fact that many in our congregations are struggling—sometimes with pride, they may not ask for help. But the church can be the bridge to ensure no one goes hungry.
Q: What do you hope to see in the future as churches continue to work together to fight food insecurity in Waco?
My vision is to see churches across Waco unite around this cause. We can no longer rely on just one church or one organization to solve food insecurity.
Ruben:
As the need grows, we need to work together and leverage each church’s unique role in the community. I hope we can create a network of churches that serve as beacons of hope and support for the people who need it most. If we can do that, we’ll not only address food insecurity, but we’ll also be living out the mission of the church to love and serve our neighbors.
Q: Finally, what advice do you have for other churches looking to start their own food distribution programs?
Ruben:
Don’t wait. Start small, even if it’s just one table with loaves of bread. People are hungry, and they need help now.
Build relationships with your community and partners like the Central Texas Food Bank. Most importantly, get your congregation involved. It takes a collective effort, but the impact is incredible. You’ll see firsthand how much people appreciate not just the food, but the love and care behind it.
Family of Faith Church and Pastor Ruben’s leadership is a shining example of how faith communities can make a real difference in the fight against food insecurity. Faith communities are often one of the most trusted sources of support in their neighborhoods, making their partnership vital in not only meeting basic needs but also acting as conduits for connection. These communities are uniquely positioned to link individuals and families to the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to build better lives.
Your gift to the Hunger-Free Community Coalition Mini-Grant Fund can help provide startup costs for churches and organizations in our community looking to host or organize mobile food distribution programs where they’re needed most in our community.
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