Turkeys Tackling Hunger off and running

Thu, 10/25/2018 - 12:00am

Food Bank

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

More than 6,000 people had a traditional Thanksgiving meal last year due to the generosity of local residents. This year, those who organize the “Turkeys Tackling Hunger” campaign are hoping that number is even greater.

A donation of $30 supplies a meal for one family, and donations — as well as applications from families needing assistance and residents looking to volunteer — are still being signed up for this year’s drive. Donations will actually be accepted past Thanksgiving Day, until Nov. 27.

Donations are accepted online at haysfoodbank.org/donate, or mailed to Hays County Food Bank, 220 Herndon Street, San Marcos, TX, 78666.

Volunteers to help distribute food boxes during distribution week (the week before Thanksgiving) should contact Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Cruz at 512-392-8300 x222 or jcruz@haysfoodbank.org.

Families needing assistance must register in advance and meet one of the following criteria:

Having a household income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level (food bank personnel will be able to calculate this)
Participation in Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), National School Lunch Program (NSLP); or
Having a temporary food emergency due to a natural disaster, loss of job or similar circumstance.

Each family is eligible for only one meal box. Signup is at https://turkeys2018.eventbrite.com or by calling 512-392-8300 x223 Monday through Friday. Distributions will be at Rattler Stadium and Seton Hays Medical Center on Nov. 13, at Embassy Suites San Marcos and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kyle on Nov. 14, at the YMCA in Buda and the Wimberley Library on Nov. 15, and at the YMCA in Dripping Springs Nov. 16.

Last year, the Hays County Food Bank and its more than 20 partner agencies distributed 791,838 pounds of food to an average of 2,022 “food insecure” individual each week — a population that includes senior citizens, children and others facing economic challenges.

For more information, contact the food bank at the Hays Food Bank's website.