The Central Texas Food Bank and Hays County Pet Resource Center will host their first drive-up food distribution of the year for people and pets on Saturday, March 22, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at McCormick Middle School in Buda. The event is open to anyone in Hays County and pets do not need to be present to receive pet food. This is the fifth pet food distribution event held in Buda. In 2024, CTFB and Hays PRC held four quarterly events that collectively served over 1,500 pets in need of food assistance. Pet food for cats and dogs will be provided in addition to the normal food distribution, and assistance in Spanish will also be available. “We are delivering concrete support to those in need, making a real difference in their lives,” said Lee Ann Shenefiel, Hays County Pet Resource Center Director and Executive Advisor. “By building sustainable solutions that provide lasting support for individuals and their families, including their animal companions, we can protect the human-animal bond.” This event is supported by Feeding America, working in partnership with Pet Smart Charities, to generously provide pet food. Three additional drive-up people and pet food distribution events are planned for 2025, one per quarter, on June 28, September 27 and December 27. "Providing these resources for our neighbors and their pets has a meaningful impact on the entire household," stated Sari M. Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. "By collaborating with partners, we’re ensuring that furry family members can remain with their humans, all of whom have the nutrition they need to thrive." Volunteers are needed for the event, including those who are bilingual in Spanish.Tasks include helping with set up, greeting people, distributing food, gathering data and tearing down from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 22. If you are interested in volunteering at the food distribution event, please contact haysinfo@austinpetsalive.org. Hays County Pet Resource, Education and Research Center is a first of its kind municipal shelter system encompassing the human and animal welfare industries through a community programs and data-driven focused animal sheltering model. By providing access to otherwise untapped resources rooted in data-driven education, informed policy and community partnerships, Hays PRC aims to build connections between human and animal welfare services within the community. In partnership with Austin Pets Alive in 2023, Hays PRC origins stem from the innovation and collaboration rooted in saving lives and keeping families together. Austin Pets Alive! is a nonprofit organization pioneering comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save the most at-risk homeless companion animals and educate others to do the same through its American Pets Alive! nationwide education and outreach division. A leader in No Kill sheltering in America’s largest No Kill city, APA! helps more than 10,000 dogs and cats annually in Central Texas and beyond get a chance at the life they deserve. To learn more about APA!, visit austinpetsalive.org The Central Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief nonprofit in Central Texas, working to provide immediate and equitable access to nutritious food across a 21-county service area. The Food Bank supports over 530,000 food insecure individuals through direct-service programs and supporting a network of approximately 240 nonprofit community partners. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.
