Coronavirus: Central Texas Food Bank Sets 2 Distribution Events

AUSTIN, TX — Central Texas Food Bank officials on Thursday announced the dates for two more meal distribution events scheduled this month for those facing heightened food insecurity amid the new coronavirus outbreak.

The food bank staged such an event on April 4, ultimately providing emergency kits to 1,500 households. Recipients at the future planned drive-through distribution events will receive an emergency food box containing about 28 pounds of food consisting of such shelf-stable items as peanut butter, brown rice, canned tuna or chicken and canned fruit, officials said in a news release. Residents in need also will receive a hygiene kit with items such as baby wipes, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and shaving items. Actual contents may vary depending on availability.

There will be a limited number of boxes available, officials noted, so each household will be limited to one food box and one hygiene box. For health and safety reasons, Central Texas Food Bank officials ask that each household send only one representative to the event. To adhere to social distancing requirements, pickup will only be available to those with cars with no walk-ups allowed.

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Itself strapped for resources amid high demand, Central Texas Food Bank also asks that would-be attendees show up only if they genuinely are facing food insecurity.

Officials added the food bank is in need of volunteers to assist with the upcoming distribution events. Those interested in volunteering should visit centraltexasfoodbank.org, and click on “Volunteer” to sign up.

Previous coverage: Coronavirus: Central Texas Food Bank Serves 1,515 Households

Here are the dates, times and locations for the upcoming food distribution events:

Monday, April 20

Del Valley High School
5201 Ross Rd., Del Valle, TX 78617
9 a.m. to Noon

Thursday, April 30
Toney Burger Stadium
3200 Jones Rd., Austin, TX 78745
IMPORTANT: Enter at the North side of the facility, from the eastbound Hwy 290 frontage road between Brodie Lane and West Gate.
9:00 a.m. to Noon

Deemed an “essential service” amid the pandemic, the Central Texas Food Bank and its distribution network of pantries and mobile pantries are exempt from the shelter-in-place order, as are staff members and volunteers. Consequently, the group is continuing its mission of meeting the needs of those facing hunger.

Central Texans in need can also access food through the Central Food Bank's network of partner pantries and mobile food pantry distributions throughout Central Texas. For the latest information on getting help, go to centraltexasfoodbank.org and click on “Find Food Now.” After finding the distribution site nearest you, call to confirm its hours of operation as a result of ever-changing developments. Those needing assistance also can call 2-1-1 for the latest information.

In the best of times, the food bank has met the needs of hungry people across a 21-county region since its inception in 1981. But the coronavirus pandemic has emerged as a powerful force that has challenged that unwavering mission with corrosive effects. "The Food Bank stands ready to help all Central Texans affected by the pandemic, but we’ve seen demand for our services skyrocket recently, severely straining our resources," officials wrote. As a result, those able to help with monetary donations can do so by visiting centraltexasfoodbank.org.

ABOUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK

The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 46,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts.

For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.