Local Companies Take Active Role In Ending Hunger In Hays County
Hays County Food Bank believes that every individual should have the opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked holiday meal. To work towards this goal, they launched their tenth annual Turkeys Tackling Hunger campaign in September and invited corporate sponsors to give back to the communities where they live. Night Hawk Frozen Foods (Buda, TX) was already on board when the campaign began. Since then, several additional sponsors have joined in to help.
Some of these sponsors have been assisting the food bank for many years. For example, HEB, is providing funds for 166 holiday meals this season, in addition to the food (frozen meats, produce, breads, and sweet treats) that they donate on a weekly basis for regular distribution. Another long-time supporter is Little Guys Movers. Each year, they transport and move holiday meal boxes across the county. Josh Paselk, General Manager of the San Marcos location, says, “We have [Hays County Food Bank’s] back, knowing how much good they are doing for our community.” Grande Communications has also been supporting the food bank for some time. This year, they sponsored 33 holiday meal boxes and donated space on their network to spread awareness about hunger. Be on the lookout for the PSA if you are a Grande customer!
It is always exciting when new businesses decide to get involved in holiday philanthropy. As one of the newest Turkeys Tackling Hunger sponsors, Lamar Advertising (Austin, TX) offered to help advocate on behalf of the food insecure population by donating a billboard on IH-35 N. This helps remind people that they can get food assistance if they need it. San Marcos Corridor News also joined the cause this year by donating space on their website to help promote holiday meal box fundraising efforts. When asked about why they are committed to helping within the community, Melissa Jewett, publisher, said, “We live here, work here, raise our children here; we even attend school here. What affects [community member’s lives] does affect ours.”
Hays County Food Bank is grateful that so many local businesses, new and old, choose to come together to provide meals for those in need in our county. If your organization would like to help, please contact Ashley Hurst at AHurst@HaysFoodBank.org or at (512) 392-8300 x230.
In 2015, Hays County Food Bank and its 20+ partner agencies distributed 690,397 pounds of food to an average of nearly 12,000 food insecure residents each month. These residents were senior citizens, children, and many others facing economic challenges. “Food insecurity” refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it. Hays County Food Bank is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit haysfoodbank.org or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @HaysFoodBank.
