Hays County Food Bank To Provide Holiday Meal Boxes To Families In Need

It’s nearly Thanksgiving. Hays County Food Bank is getting ready to hand out holiday meal boxes packed with a frozen turkey and pantry staples that can be prepared into a home-cooked holiday feast.

While many won’t gather as a large crowd this year due to COVID-19, some traditions are too important to skip.

The food bank announced the 14th annual Turkeys Tackling Hunger Holiday Meal Box Program will continue as planned, but with safety precautions to ensure social distancing.

The food bank team will be equipped with facemasks, gloves, sanitizer, and practice as much safe social distancing as possible to hand out holiday meal boxes to households in need.

Meal boxes will be placed into vehicle trunks and truck beds when possible or on top of the vehicle’s hood for the client to place in their vehicle when volunteers are a safe distance away.

Every distribution will take place outside and move as quickly and efficiently as possible.

According to HCFB, Turkeys Tackling Hunger would not be possible without “the amazing support of the community.”

Night Hawk Frozen Foods, Inc. has been a pivotal partner for years as the title sponsor. Not only do they pledge a financial donation, but they also utilize their connections, employees, facility, and equipment to provide boxes, packers, and storage.

“The food bank is incredibly grateful to have Night Hawk’s continued support,” HCFB said.

H-E-B is also a huge supporter of the local food bank, providing food six days a week for normal distributions and partner agency support. In addition to this food rescue and redistribution partnership, they also contribute financially to the food bank’s annual Turkeys Tackling Hunger campaign.

Another staple in the county is Little Guys Movers. For the past few years, this giant moving company has donated their time, trucks, and guys to help transport turkeys and meal boxes from Night Hawk to the various distribution sites and back to the food bank.

Dell Children’s Health Plan began its partnership with the food bank through the support of the food bank’s Backpack Program. Since then, they have come on board as an annual supporter of Turkeys Tackling Hunger, making an annual donation to help keep hunger at bay during the holidays.

The Buda Turkey Trot is another annual tradition in Hays County. While the race has been modified for 2020, individuals can still participate.

Racers can choose to race virtually or in-person on Thanksgiving morning. They have safety precautions in place, and there will be multiple start times. Part of the race fee will be donated to the food bank to help tackle hunger here. To learn more or sign up, visit budaturkeytrot.com.

“The food bank is also proud to have support through in-kind donations like advertising through a digital billboard provided by Lamar Advertising and a commercial spot through Grande Communications,” HCFB said. “Have you glanced at the billboard on I-35 in Kyle or seen the delicious spread during a commercial break? This is all thanks to the giving spirit of these wonderful partners.”

Hays County Food Bank also has two new businesses who have thrown in their support for Turkeys Tackling Hunger in 2020: Alma’s Light and Wells Solar & Electric. Alma’s Light is a nonprofit organization that sponsors communities in underprivileged school districts by meeting the school supply needs of the students and providing food for their families. Wells Solar & Electric has generously donated as part of its COVID Relief Fund Program.

In addition to amazing support from local businesses, the food bank has received much love and support from local food and fund drives and individuals choosing to support financially or through food donations.

“This food bank is truly thankful to call Hays County home, and as long as there is a need here, the food bank will be here to help,” HCFB said. 

If residents would like more information about Turkeys Tackling Hunger and the holiday meal box program, please call (512) 392-8300 or email info@haysfoodbank.org.