Feedback - Holiday 2020

News from the Central Texas Food Bank

Holiday 2020

What’s INSIDE You’re a Lifeline to Local Families AMD and the Central Texas Food Bank Thank You for Helping Joe’s Growing Family Thrive

YOUR GIFT WILL DOUBLE TO SHARE HOPE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

You’re a Lifeline to Shelly’s Family “I pay my water bill, my electric bill and then, you know, you really don’t have any money,” Shelly says of her family’s situation since the pandemic started. “We’re just coming to get food and survive with this.”

Taylor, but the restaurant has closed permanently. Now she manages some rental properties but only makes a couple of hundred dollars a week. That’s not nearly enough to keep food on the table for her growing kids.

Shelly recently visited Shepherd’s Heart Taylor, her local Central Texas Food Bank partner in Taylor, she shared how helpful it’s been since her savings ran out. She has two teenagers at home and is grateful to be able to come and pick up groceries for her family.

“It’s been challenging, but we’re learning,” she says. “Everybody’s learning to sacrifice.”

S h e l l y’ s a m o n g s o m a n y neighbors who are struggling in the wake of the pandemic. She worked as a server at a café in downtown

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And for her part, she’s getting creative about how to make the food stretch and says she and her kids have even planted a garden to supplement what they can buy at the store and receive from the pantry.

“It’s been challenging, but we’re learning. Everybody’s learning to sacrifice.”

— Shelly

Shelly found out about the Shepherd’s Heart Taylor food pantry a while back when she was dealing with a job loss. So when the restaurant where she was working closed a few months ago, “We’re doing carrots, onions, it was a comfort for her to already know where to turn in these corn,” she says. “But to get the seeds it’s been difficult because uncertain times.

you have to have money to buy them and the fertilizer and stuff. But we’re making it.”

Your support means Shelly and her kids — and countless Central Texas families — will have enough to eat no matter how difficult their circumstances become. During the holiday season, your gifts bring a real sense of hope to your neighbors facing hunger.

“Thank you,” Shelly says to generous friends like you. “We couldn’t do it without you.

And as soon as we get back on our feet, we’ll start donating again because that’s what we used to do.”

When you give, your grateful neighbors pay your generosity forward and help create a brighter future for us all. These past few months have meant immense financial strain for so many in the Central Texas community.

If you are in a position to give this season, your generosity will have double the impact during our Holiday Match Challenge. Thank you for perpetuating gratitude and action across Central Texas and proving we are stronger together.

“We couldn’t do it without you.

And as soon as we get back on our feet, we’ll start donating again.”

The Texas Legislative Session is Upon Us! Beth Corbett, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Every two years, the CTFB Advocacy team turns our focus to the Texas State Capitol for the biennial legislative session, and 2021 will be no exception. With many lessons learned about gaps in food access during the COVID-19 response, the Food Bank is committed to supporting legislation that serves the most vulnerable members of our Central Texas community and protects critical funding for the food bank network statewide.

When state lawmakers convene in Austin this January, they face unparalleled budget challenges. Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and a dramatic decline in oil prices, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has warned of a revenue shortfall of billions of dollars for the 202223 state biennial budget. The Central Texas Food Bank is working hard to educate members of our delegation about critical programs that support members of our community struggling with hunger. For example, the Texas food bank network benefits significantly from the Surplus Agricultural Products Grant, a program that enables food banks to access excess produce from Texas farmers and provide it to hungry Texans. It’s a win-win both for our clients and the state’s critical agricultural industry, and protecting funding for the grant is a key piece of our legislative agenda.

CTFB will also advocate in support of legislation that enhances food access for seniors, children and rural communities. One priority piece of legislation focuses on streamlining the SNAP application process to make it easier for food insecure seniors in our state to get the support they need.

We’re also excited to report on the success of our firstever Advocacy Boot Camp! The inaugural class, made up of representatives of our valuable partner agency network, completed the program this month. The newest members of the CTFB advocacy team represent a geographically diverse contingent from across our service area, and we look forward to engaging them in our activities during the upcoming session.

If you would like to support the Food Bank’s legislative agenda in the upcoming session, please let us know. Adding your voice to our network of advocacy partners will help us protect the critical state programs and funding that keep Central Texans fed.

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THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE HOLIDAYS The 30th Annual Austin Chronicle (Virtual) Hot Sauce Festival

Back for its 30th year, the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival brought hot sauce lovers together to beat the heat by eating the heat in support of the Central Texas Food Bank. The event looked a little different this year, with Austinites tuning in online at home on Sunday, August 30. This year the event created more than 51,000 meals for Central Texans in need — marking more than 1 million meals provided since the event’s conception in 1990.

Texas Disposal Systems

As the Mobile Pantry program adapted to mass distributions to serve more families at a time, not all locations had restrooms and handwashing facilities onsite.

Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) generously donated clean, airconditioned restroom trailers for our volunt in Austin and Kyle from May to Decembe

Austin Restaurant Weeks’ Feed It Presented by Delta Airlines

Feed It Forward, presented by Delta Air Lines, is a new city-wide initiative from Austin Restaurant Weeks that allows the Central Texas Food Bank to provide support for our friends and neighbors in need while also supporting the restaurant community — who have been some of th Bank — until they can fully reopen. Since it Forward sponsors have raised nearly $50 4

S BRIGHT

teers and staff to use at distributions er. Thank you, TDS!

t Forward,

he biggest supporters of the Food May, restaurants, diners and Feed 0,000 for our community in need!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

AMD And The Central Texas Food Bank: Corporate Partnerships Build Better Communities In 1994, the Central Texas Food Bank broke ground on a state-of-theart facility on South Congress Avenue in Austin. Over the course of three years, AMD contributed $190,000 to help make the new Food Bank location a reality.

The capital campaign was not AMD’s first involvement with the Food Bank. Since the early 80s their gifts have helped fund general operations, support programs like Mobile Pantry, Kids Cafe® and Fresh Food for Families and helped see our community through disasters. By 2014, the Food Bank had outgrown the facility on South Congress and launched a second capital campaign. Once again AMD stepped up, pledging $50,000 to the new building. Overall, AMD and their employees have donated 418,959 pounds of food, more than 4,500 hours of their time volunteering, and contributed more than a staggering $2 million in financial gifts to the Food Bank.

What has made the relationship between AMD and the Central Texas Food Bank so successful for more than 35 years? Corporate partnerships are extremely beneficial, not only for the non-profits that rely on donations 6

and volunteerism, but for the companies as well.

“At AMD, we place a high value on giving back with our time and resources. This not only strengthens the communities in which we live, but also strengthens our employees and teams, giving them ways to connect outside the office and gain perspective,” notes Mark Papermaster, AMD CTO and EVP of Technology and Engineering.

“Austin AMDers have rallied around the mission of the Central Texas Food Bank, and we are grateful for this long-term partnership.”

Mo s t r e c e n t l y d u r i n g t h e COVID-19 pandemic AMD started an employee giving campaign. Spurred by the company’s 2:1 match, employees pitched in $147,662 in just two months.

Combined with the matching funds, the Food Bank received a donation of $442,986 in June — a critical time for much-needed funding as long lines continued snaking around food distributions all over Central Texas.

This article has been shortened from its original version to fit this publication. To read the full version please visit centraltexasfoodbank.org/ amd-partnership.

Austin Empty Bowl Project November 8–22, austinemptybowl.org The Austin Empty Bowl Project is going virtual for 2020! Over the last 10 years this beloved annual event has raised nearly 2 million meals for Central Texans. Starting November 8, check out the online store, virtual silent auction, and live virtual concert.

Wheatsville Co-op’s Community Action Month | November 1 – 30 During the month of November the Food Bank is highlighted through Wheatsville Food Coop’s Community Action Program.

Shoppers can round up their total at the register as a donation and at the end of the month, Wheatsville will donate an additional $1K. Since 2018, Wheatsville shoppers have raised more than $30,000 for the Food Bank. Every cent helps, so shop at your neighborhood Wheatsville and round up today!

Virtual Fundraiser Spotlight: Morgan Nielsen — Turn 20 into Plenty Step-a-Thon After volunteering at a Mobile Pantry, Morgan Nielsen was motivated to do even more to support the community in need, so she challenged her community to get active and raise meals for the Food Bank with her #Turn20intoPlenty Step-a-Thon.

With a goal to create 20,000 meals for Central Texans, Morgan asked people to donate $20 and join her on Sunday, September 20 in taking 20K steps! Interested in starting your own online fundraiser page with your friends, company or just because? Visit justgiving.com/ campaign/CTFBHoliday2020 today!

“It makes me grateful and it makes me happy that I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to put food on the table.”

— Joe

Thank You for Helping Joe’s Growing Family Thrive Joe and his wife are raising their “My concern is being able to feed 5-year-old son in Austin. Like so my 5-year-old, that they don’t go many people across Central Texas, hungry, he and my wife,” Joe says. they’ve had to make adjustments “That’s my main job.” since the pandemic began.

That’s why he’s so glad he learned “We were comfortable with two about the Food Bank’s Mobile incomes,” Joe says. “But now we’re Pantry at the Toney Burger Activity struggling with one income trying to Center and Stadium in southeast pay all the bills and put food on the Austin. Joe visited for the first time table and all that.” a few months ago.

Friends like you make a real difference in the lives of countless Central Texas families. Because you choose to give, your neighbors can access the healthy food they need to thrive.

He’s been fortunate to work He describes his son as a very from home, but his wife has been active, athletic, outgoing kid. Joe’s furloughed — with no end in sight. grateful he can fuel his energy with The couple has been cutting back on good nutrition. expenses to afford food.

“It makes me grateful and it Un f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e m o s t makes me happy that I don’t have nutritious items at the store — like to worry about how I’m going to put fresh fruits and vegetables — are food on the table,” he says. among the most expensive.

“I took it for granted because I never needed anything like this,” he says. “We’re struggling and we’re grateful. Support your Food Bank, I know I will from now on.”

Joe gives thanks for your support.

He always knew the Food Bank existed but didn’t understand its impact until now.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jen Alessandra, Chair Frontdoor

Hari Jayaram Applied Materials

Stephen Portner, Vice Chair

Pat Massey IBM Corporation

Timothy M. Lee, Treasurer Treat Health Corporation Shaun Cranston, Secretary Halff Associates, Inc. Ann Benolken Ascension Seton Kathleen W. Farlow Deloitte LLP Kelli Green St. Edward’s University Jeff Hahn, Hahn Public Monica Hernandez H-E-B Pete Inman Camino Real Financial Strategies

Laura Mendoza, Motiva Frank Reid Austin Community College John Sanchez Capital One Bank Alice Starr Anneliese Tanner Austin Independent School District Scott Weatherford Jackson Walker LLP Mark J. Williams Shayne Woodard Waterloo Lobby & Advocacy, Inc.

MESSAGE from the PRESIDENT & CEO Dear Friends, I can’t say enough how sincerely grateful I am for your support.

Because you choose to give, your Central Texas neighbors have the hope of another meal — and a brighter future.

As we reflect on a truly difficult year, it’s a comfort to know we have people like you in our corner. Your partnership is especially meaningful during the holidays. Food and holidays go hand-in-hand and most of us can’t imagine celebrating without a big, special meal.

I smile when I think about the local families who will soon sit down to a holiday table filled with food from the Central Texas Food Bank. Food you helped put on those tables. A shared meal, which may look a little different this year, can bring a real sense of stability to people facing uncertain circumstances and you’re making that possible.

FEEDBACK?

Please take some time to meet just a handful of the neighbors you’re helping in this holiday edition of Feedback. Flip to page 2 to learn how your gifts are making the holidays a little brighter for Shelly’s family.

Read it online Download and subscribe to Food Bank publications at centraltexasfoodbank.org

With the ongoing stress of the pandemic affecting everyone’s day-today life, it’s comforting to hear stories of hope. Our community will see brighter days because people like you care so much.

Make an immediate impact by giving online

Thank you sincerely for continuing to give as you’re able. You’re feeding our community’s shared future!

Questions, comments or change of address?

Email: communications@centraltexasfoodbank.org

1. Open your camera or a QR Scanner on your iPhone or Android device.

2. Hold your phone camera over the QR Code.

3. Wait for a web page link to pop up.

4. Click and make your donation on CTFB’s website!

Derrick Chubbs President & CEO

THANK YOU, HOLIDAY SPONSORS

Our mission: To nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger.

6500 Metropolis Dr., Austin, TX 78744 | 512.282.2111 /CentralTexasFoodBank

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@CTXFoodBank