Helping families meet summer challenges

The Food Bank continues to develop new ways to meet the needs of individuals and families in our communities. Our newest and most innovative effort is the St. John Community Food Center at The For the City Center in east Austin.

The Food Center’s inception began with the closing of CAFB’s East Austin Service Center (EASC). Karla Cantu, senior director, agency relations, said, “It [EASC] wasn’t user-friendly and we couldn’t get enough clients in the facility. So, when the opportunity came up with Austin Stone Community Church we decided to go for it.”

Austin Stone Community Church outgrew their previous location and purchased land to build a new facility. They wanted this new facility to offer practical services to the community, and found partners to help expand the services of the center. “Their vision was to not only build the church, but to work with non-profits to help support the community,” explains Karla.

Some of the nonprofits include: Communities in Schools, the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization; Caring Family Network, an adoption and foster care agency; and Austin Lifeguard, an abstinence-based comprehensive teen sex education program. “These agencies refer families to us. Our SNAP outreach coordinators work with the clients, and families also receive food assistance through the food pantry,” said Karla.

GET OUT AND JOIN IN THE FUN.During the season, there are many events around town benefiting the Food Bank from concerts to CANstruction, to food

drives and food events featuring local restaurants. Check out the events list at www.austinfoodbank.org/events and start

filling your calendar! Follow @events4good on Twitter.

DONATE YOUR TIME.Embrace the spirit of giving and put your good intentions to work by

volunteering with the Food Bank. During the holiday season, thousands

of helping hands are needed. Bring your family, friends or group of co-

workers for a hands-on giving opportunity like no other.

Visit www.austinfoodbank.org/volunteer to sign up.

GIVE CARDS THAT GIVE BACK.Make a statement with a holiday card from the Food Bank. Your message of

goodwill and generosity will feed families facing hunger this holiday year.

Visit austinfoodbank.org to order your cards.BECOME AN ADVOCATE.Join the Food Bank community. Sign up at austinfoodbank.org to keep abreast of all our news, programs, events, client

stories, volunteer opportunities, and how we work to affect public policy impacting the hungry. Then, encourage your

friends, family and colleagues to get involved. It’s easy to pass along the gift of information and join in the fight to end

hunger in our community.

Ways to help families in need this holiday season:

Whether it’s addressing cards, shopping for that perfect gift or planning family get-togethers, for many of us the

holidays are a hectic and demanding time. For food banks across the country, this is also true. With the fall comes an

abundance of seasonal activities including food drives, fundraising efforts, special events and food distributions that

help us gear up to help hungry families. So now is the time we need your help the most.

With record numbers of families turning to us and our partners for food assistance this year, we invite you to include

us in your holiday plans, and help “Turn Hungry Holidays into Happy Holidays” for thousands of central Texans.

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE.At your holiday party, instead of exchanging gifts, ask guests to make a financial donation to the Food Bank. Collect

donations at your party and set up your own food drive online so your guests can easily donate. Get started, and register

your Virtual Food Drive at www.austinfoodbank.org/how-to-help/virtual-food-drive.

Beyond Innovation: St. John Community Food Center

Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org

Child Nutrition Reauthorization The Food Bank is very active in efforts to support the passage of Child Nutrition Reauthorization. The legislation

strengthens federal nutrition programs for children at risk of hunger. CAFB was a leader in securing signatures

of 150 organizations for a letter supporting a strong, fully-funded bill before the nutrition programs expired.

This letter was sent to Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-25), a member of the House Committee on Ways & Means,

and distributed among the state’s Congressional delegation. Though the vote was delayed, we continue to advocate for a strong Child

Nutrition Reauthorization bill without using funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supporting more than 40

million people.

Story and photos by Audrey Mardavich, CAFB Communications Story Bank VISTA

For more information, visit: www.austinfoodbank.org/how-we-help/food-pantries.

PublicPolicy

UPDATE

For more information, email Wendy Heiges, senior director, advocacy & public policy, at wheiges@austinfoodbank.org.

This is a unique opportunity for the Food Bank,” says Karla. “Not only does it incorporate all of the things we’ve learned about providing exceptional service to our clients, it’s also a learning facility for other Partner Agencies.

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