The Central Texas Food Bank and Austin Pets Alive! have announced a drive-up food distribution scheduled for the day after Christmas, aiming to provide essential supplies to roughly 250 households in Austin and Travis County.
Drive-Up Distribution Details
The distribution will take place Friday, Dec. 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Delco Activity Center located at 4601 Pecan Brook Dr., Austin, TX 78724. According to a press release from APA!, anyone living in Austin or Travis County is welcome to drive up for food for the people and pets in their households. The two nonprofits have enough food to serve about 250 households.
A spokesperson for APA! noted that pets do not need to be present to receive pet food, allowing families to pick up supplies for both humans and animals in one trip. The event follows a similar drive during the Thanksgiving holiday, where the food bank reported serving an estimated 750 households.
Partnership and Purpose
“This food distribution in Travis County underscores the enduring partnership between CTFB and APA!, providing essential nourishment and safeguarding the well-being of people and pets,” the release said. The statement highlights the collaborative effort between the two nonprofits to address hunger and pet food needs in the region. The partnership is rooted in a shared mission to ensure that no table remains empty during the holidays.
During the Thanksgiving event, Sari Vatske, president and CEO of Central Texas Food Bank, said, “Hunger doesn’t take a holiday and neither do we.” She added, “Every turkey distributed represents the belief that no table should remain empty during the holidays.” These remarks emphasize the commitment to serving families during the holiday season.
Context of Hunger in Central Texas
Earlier this year, a pause in SNAP benefits and other challenges related to a lengthy government shutdown created additional need in Central Texas, food bank leadership reported. Vatske told KXAN in November that food insecurity was already on the rise in Central Texas, prior to the shutdown. She said the numbers have hit a 10-year high, including during the pandemic.
“People were dipping into their savings. They were maxing out credit cards,” Vatske said in a previous interview. “We are now serving over 610,000 food insecure individuals throughout 21 counties, and we’ve seen those numbers double over the past month or so, as people recover from the shutdown and prepare for the holiday season.”
The figures illustrate the growing demand for food assistance in the region and the importance of timely distributions.
Key Takeaways
- The drive-up event on Dec. 26 will serve about 250 households.
- Pets can receive food without being present at the distribution.
- Central Texas Food Bank has seen a 10-year high in food insecurity, serving 610,000 individuals across 21 counties.
The upcoming distribution underscores the continued partnership between Central Texas Food Bank and Austin Pets Alive! and the ongoing need to support families and pets during the holiday season.
