Feedback - Holidays 2015

Holiday 2015

austinfoodbank.org

Cancer Survivor Seeks Fresh Produce to Aid in Her Recovery Your support is helping clients like Alicia access the healthy food they need.

Pilot Program Helps Clients Find Stability You’re not just putting food on the table, you’re helping improve clients’ lives.

Solving the Food Access Puzzle City of Austin invests in a multi-pronged approach to food security.

Matching Gift Challenge Your gift goes twice as far for families in need this holiday season.

MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE

Your gift has double the impact this holiday season. Details inside.

News from the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas

Cancer Survivor Seeks Fresh Produce to Aid in Her Recovery Cancer treatment hasn’t dulled Alicia’s spark. As she moves through the line at the Mobile Food Pantry she makes cheery conversation with every volunteer. Alicia was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of last year. As families prepped for the holidays, she had to prep for her first surgery on December 3rd. Her second surgery was supposed to be on Christmas Eve, but she insisted doctors push it back so she could enjoy the holiday with her family.

“I was like - no, no, no - I’m not going to be in that much pain at Christmas time. So two days after Christmas I went back into surgery” She doesn’t dwell on the negative though, instead she shares fond memories of the last holiday season spent with her 4 younger sisters and their families.

“Last year actually was really awesome. I had my family rallied around. I had Christmas at my house and it was awesome, everybody came to my house. All my nieces, all my nephews, all my sisters.”

Two more surgeries and radiation therapy followed, leaving Alicia tired and unable to

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return to work. Her family stepped in to help.

She lives with her oldest son, who at 25 years old is shouldering the responsibility of helping his mother when she needs it most. He pays the rent and bills, and does the grocery shopping. This is what brings Alicia to the food pantry this morning.

“I need the help to help my son. So the food I bring is for me and he can enjoy his own… I want to take the strain off of him.”

Alicia also wants to make sure she’s getting enough fruits and vegetables so she’s following doctor’s orders and eating healthy.

“I figured I would come out and try to get

some fruit for myself because my son, he can buy his own food and he’s been paying all my bills since I started going through treatment… but the fruit and vegetables at the grocery store, the prices are ridiculous. I know my oncologist is always telling me you need to eat right.”

Before her diagnosis, Alicia worked in home health care as a certified nursing assistant who also performed wound care. She often worked with cancer patients who were bedridden, giving her a unique perspective on her own treatment. She jokes that nurses, like doctors, also make terrible patients.

I need the help to help my son.

So the food I bring is for me and he can enjoy his own… I want to take the strain off of him.

- Alicia, Capital Area Food Bank client

“I make the worst patient, but I also make a great advocate”.

On days she has more energy she does exactly that, filling her time helping advocate for Breast Cancer Services in the Austin community. Cancer wasn’t new to Alicia’s family. Her mother is also a survivor who beat the odds when battling stage four breast cancer 12 years ago, so it’s a cause she’s become very passionate about.

“Now I’m an advocate. If you’ve got a history of cancer in your family, breast cancer especially, it’s never too early to get yourself checked.”

If it wasn’t for them I don’t know where I’d be, and I don’t where a lot of other people would be either without the Food Bank.

- Alicia, Capital Area Food Bank client Alicia is now hopeful that she is in remission and looking forward to peace of mind this holiday season, more time spent with her family and her mother’s famous buttermilk pie. She’s also extremely thankful for everyone who’s helped her along the way on her tough journey.

“Especially when I was going through treatment and my son was paying for all my medications and hospitalizations, the Food Bank was a big help for me to get food in the house. If it wasn’t for them I don’t know where I’d be, and I don’t where a lot of other people would be either without the Food Bank.”

Looking ahead, Alicia is excited to get back on her feet and make sure everyone has access to help when they need it.

“When I get to the point that I can give back, I plan on giving back too. Give back to the community.” .

Solving the Food Access Puzzle

By Kathy Green, Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Most people, regardless of income, know what is healthy food and what is not. If this is the case, why do so many of our neighbors continue to suffer from obesity and corresponding chronic diseases? Why do our lowest income residents suffer from these conditions more?

Studies show people make food choices based on several factors, among them: convenience, variety, choice, time, cost, culture and mood. For example, someone may know that an apple is a healthier choice than potato chips. However, they are hindered by limited time and money and potato chips are cheaper and more convenient. When we are stressed by a difficult week at work or home, we often want “comfort” food—that which is satisfying, even if we know it isn’t the healthiest.

The solution to increasing healthy food access and lowering chronic disease is as complex as the problem. No one initiative will guarantee healthier eating habits among our neighbors. That is why the City of Austin made a multi-pronged $400,000 investment to address these issues. $150,000 will go towards a healthy food retail initiative, providing grants to improve stores in underserved, or “food desert” neighborhoods. With this funding, retailers will be able to market and store healthier offerings, such as produce, lean dairy, and whole grains.

Austin is hoping to replicate the success that cities such as Philadelphia and New Orleans have seen with similar programs. $100,000 will support the Double Dollars Incentive Program at area farmers markets, doubling the benefit for fresh produce for SNAP and WIC customers. This thriving program has allowed our lowest income neighbors more access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Another $100,000 will support community and school farmstands. By placing fresh produce in areas where people receive other services, families can save an additional shopping trip for food. Lastly, $50,000 will support a staff person in the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department to administer the grants.

At the Food Bank, we have been working hard for years to make healthy food accessible to clients in food deserts and metro areas alike through our Mobile Food Pantry and Fresh Food For Families programs. These government programs will place even more healthy food in the hands of those who need it most by addressing convenience, time and cost factors. Food and health advocates will be closely measuring these initiatives, and building on them where they are successful. Through these investments, we hope to see a healthier, more food secure community, one apple at a time.

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Upcoming Events CANstruction November 14, 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Barton Creek Square Mall 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX CANstruction is an annual event in more than 100 cities across the United States and Canada.

In Austin, 12 teams led by local architects, engineers and builders have just hours to build larger than life sculptures out of canned goods at Barton Creek Square Mall. Visitors can donate money or non-perishable food items while they marvel at the structures and can vote for their favorites while the structures are on display through Sunday, November 22.

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Austin Empty Bowl Project November 22, 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. The Marchesa Hall & Theater 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX The 19th Annual Empty Bowl Project is an effort by Austin area potters to fight hunger in Central Texas. The event invites patrons to view thousands of locally crafted ceramic bowls and choose a favorite to fill with gourmet soup from local restaurants for a $20 donation.

Capital Area Food Bank’s “Kid’s Café” program and Meals on Wheels & More “Meals for Kids” program benefit from the event.

Holiday Stroll December 5, 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. Congress Ave and Capitol Steps This annual, family-friendly event highlights the lighting of the Capitol tree and features a programmed light show, holiday songs and a variety of vendors to explore. While the event is free, visitors are asked to bring non-perishable food items to drop-off at various collection points near the Capitol tree. All food donations benefit the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

Luminations December 12 – 13, 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX View more than 3,000 luminarias and 5,000 twinkle lights, listen to live music, and create holiday crafts at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for youth. Patrons are encouraged to bring two healthy, non-perishable food donations, benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

Stuff the Bus December 11 - 13 All Austin Whole Foods Markets Capital Metro, Whole Foods, and the CAFB are coming together again this holiday season to ask patrons to “Stuff the Bus.” A Capital Metro bus will be parked outside of select Whole Foods locations for individuals to stop by and drop off food donations on the weekend of December 11 – 13.

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Thank YOU for Helping Fight Hunger!

1, 14. Hunger Action Day Volunteer Shift Whataburger sponsored the Hunger Action Day volunteer shift that included a Feed it Foward scavenger hunt and Whataburger dinner.

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2, 9, 15. United Way Day of Caring Apple, H-E-B and Freescale took part in United Way’s annual Day of Caring and sorted over 5,000 meals.

3, 6, 16. Lone Star Beer Heritage Fest Local artists and food vendors came together for an afternoon of Texas fun and raised over 18,000 meals for hungry Central Texans.

4. Kruse Classic Car Auction Over 200 classic cars were on display at the annual Hill Country Classic Car Auction where 3% of ticket sales benefitted the Food Bank.

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5. Subway Check Presentation The Food Bank received $20,000 from the Subway “You Share. We Share” campaign and they served as an official Summer Meals that Matter sponsor.

7. Help End Hunger Check Presentation H-E-B customers donated $1, $3 or $5 via register tearpads and raised over 468,000 meals for hungry Central Texans.

8. SFC Fresh Food Drive CAFB held a “Fresh Food Drive” at the SFC Dowtown Farmers Market collecting over 120 pounds of fresh produce from local farms.

10. Hunger Action Month September is Hunger Action Month nationwide and we worked to spread awareness about hunger by celebrating “Spoon-tember” and encouraging local businesses to “Feed it Forward.”

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11. AMD Day of Service AMD Community Corps spent their Day of Service sorting over 3,000 meals at the Food Bank.

12. Amerigroup Texas Check Presentation Amerigroup Texas gave $5,000 to help bring nutritious food to Waco residents through the Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry Program.

13. Keller Williams Food Drive Each year the Keller Williams food drive raises thousands of pounds of food for the 1 in 6 Central Texans at risk of hunger. Since 2010, they’ve raised over 75,000 meals.

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Pilot Program Helps Clients Find Stability The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas often partners with organizations that serve the same population in an effort to create a more profound impact on people’s lives. While food is critically important to our clients, it is just one piece of the puzzle and clients often need other resources to make their lives more stable.

In an effort to holistically address client needs, the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas ran a pilot program this fall that worked with local partners to bring extra support to some very hard working people.

The project started when Lauren Bednarski, an Economic Opportunity Vista from Feeding Texas working at the Food Bank, interviewed clients and partners to see what their greatest needs were. When clients time and again asked for job readiness, GED and general adult education classes it was clear that there was a need that had to be met.

The Food Bank’s solution was the Scholarship Pantry Pilot Program which utilizes food vouchers to incentivize and support community members while they are working on training opportunities. Vouchers were handed out to students who attended GED, ESL, job readiness, financial education and other life skills classes through the Literacy Coalition, United Way and Goodwill.

The vouchers entitled students to double the food from a participating partner pantry, and were a hit with partners and clients alike.

“It’s an innovative way to think about food

banking, and it’s not something a lot of food banks are doing,” said Lauren Bednarski.

She’s confident that by leveraging Food Bank resources through partner agencies, they will see more client success stories. “[The clients] have been very grateful for the support. I have one client who came to my office in tears after her first visit to the food pantry. She works full-time, often overtime as well, attends school with us part-time, and struggles to make ends meet. Receiving this assistance took one thing off of her list of things to stress about and the relief brought her to tears,” recounts Michele Mulryan, Social Services Coordinator with the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas.

Michele says the assistance their clients receive through this program has been a huge help both by helping students put food on the table for their families, and by improving their focus in class because they aren’t coming to class hungry. She hopes programs like this can expand and reach more members of the community so they can become connected to resources that assist them in becoming selfsufficient.

“The Capital Area Food Bank recognizes that families need a variety of supportive services to ensure they can achieve long term financial stability. Programs like the Scholarship Pantry Pilot Program work to link the provision of nutritious food with quality education and training, resulting in more stability for the families that we serve,” says

Emily De Maria, Senior Director of Programs.

The pilot program is currently being evaluated, but the Food Bank is committed to continuing to offer programs like this one in an effort to help introduce our services to new clients, and bring additional opportunities to our existing clients.

“We’re no longer just an organization that passes out food and that’s all we do. We’re really addressing all of the needs of our clients.

Through our work with the community we’re seeing these economic barriers holding our clients back from self sufficiency and family stability. Through this program we’re able to address some of those issues,” says Kara Prior, Agency Relations Capacity Specialist with the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

Help the Food Bank Raise the Remaining Funds Toward a Hunger-Free Community The founders and early supporters of the Capital Area Food Bank’s mission foresaw that as Central Texas grew, so would the needs of the communities we serve. It’s our privilege to share with you that construction is now underway on the new facility that will enable the Food Bank to serve Central Texans’ needs for many years to come.

With June 2016 on the horizon for completion, we look forward to inviting you to tour the new Food Bank built by our community of supporters—advocates like you who’ve invested in the future while keeping sight of the present need for operational resources.

To learn more about our plans for this critical capacity expansion and how you can become involved, visit www.austinfoodbank.org/campaign.

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MATCH MY GIFT! $1=$2

Double Your Impact This Holiday Season We are thrilled to share this news!

To help as many hungry people as possible during the holidays, the Beaumont Foundation has issued a special matching gift challenge for supporters of the Capital Area Food Bank.

From now until December 31, the Beaumont Foundation will match every dollar you give, up to $100,000. That means you can help feed twice as many Central Texans this holiday season.

Families like Tanisha’s will benefit from your generosity this year. Tanisha has two young children. Arianna is only 10 months old, and Jordan is 5. Jordan started kindergarten this year and he absolutely loves learning. Tanisha works at a call center and explains that they’re “living paycheck to paycheck right now. It’s pretty hard.”

Having enough food during this special time of year is important for families like Tanisha’s.

Memories that last a lifetime are made at the dinner table as they share a meal and celebrate. No one should ever go hungry – especially during the holidays.

We really do appreciate you.

It’s truly a blessing to have this food.

It’s part of the reason we’re surviving – you’re keeping everybody fed!

- Tanisha, Capital Area Food Bank Client Because of your support, Tanisha and her family receive nourishing food through our Partner Agency, Bethany Faith Food Pantry. She wants you to know, “We really do appreciate you. It’s truly a blessing to have this food. It’s part of the reason we’re surviving – you’re keeping everybody fed!”

As a supporter, you know why something as simple as a meal can bring so much joy to our hungry neighbors. By making a gift during this matching challenge, you can ensure that they

experience the tradition of a holiday meal. Will you make the most generous gift possible and change the future for a family like Tanisha’s today?

Thanks to the Beaumont Foundation’s generous matching challenge, every gift you make until December 31 will DOUBLE! Knowing the Food Bank can count on you means so much. Thank you for putting food on the table for hungry Central Texans this holiday season.

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CAFB Board of Directors Heidi Baschnagel, Chair National Instruments Corporation Joyce Mullen, Vice Chair Dell, Inc. Melissa Mitchell, Treasurer CPA Terry G. Knighton, Secretary NextDesk Melissa Anthony Sinn anthonyBarnum Public Relations Paul Chhabra, Ph.D. Applied Materials Matt Dow Jackson Walker LLP Kenneth Gladish, Ph.D. Seton Foundations Kevin J. Koch McLane Company, Inc. Timothy M. Lee thinc.small, LLC

Hon. Jeff Rose Texas Third Court of Appeals John Sanchez Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Clint Scott CLS Partners Sheldy Starkes, MBA, PMP Booker, Starkes & Patodia, Inc. Leslie Sweet HEB Grocery Company, LP Catherine P. Thompson Jason Thurman PlainsCapital Bank Mike Tomsu Vinson & Elkins LLP Michael G. Watkins, MD, FACC Seton Heart Institute Mark J. Williams

When you think of the holidays, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Time spent with family, a nice meal to be shared by all, watching football or maybe just gratitude to be able to enjoy all of the above?

For our neighbors struggling to make ends meet, this season is about more than the simple pleasures you and I might enjoy as a matter of course each year. Facing the challenge of feeding one’s family - let alone, providing a doll for Christmas or a coat to keep out the winter chill - is a reality too many Central Texas fathers and mothers confront while others rush from store to store piling up presents.

This holiday, give a gift that won’t be cast aside as soon as the tinsel is taken down: a nourishing meal for one of the many families we serve. Without healthy food options, young bodies cannot grow; nor minds reach their full potential. We know that nutrition is a valuable weapon in the fight against disease - and in this issue, we’ll learn from cancer survivor Alicia why food is a critical factor in the struggle to achieve and maintain full recovery.

We get to call this beautiful part of Texas “home,” full of vibrant people and successful industries that put Austin on the map. It’s a good life - indeed! But one much harder for Alicia and others faced with the choice of paying the lease, buying prescription medicine or eating healthy food; for children and adults without basic resources, the Capital Area Food Bank is an important lifeline.

Feedback?

Questions, comments, suggestions?

Change of address? Receiving duplicate copies?

Email: communications@austinfoodbank.org

Please join us in making a difference in the lives of Central Texans battling hunger throughout the holidays. Whether you lend support through your time, talent or treasure, we are grateful for it. Thank you, on behalf of those we serve - and we hope this season brings you much joy and happiness.

Read it online Download and subscribe to CAFB publications at austinfoodbank.org Our Mission: To nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger.

Capital Area Food Bank of Texas 8201 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78745 | (512)282.2111 /CapitalAreaFoodBankofTexas

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@CAFBTX

Hank Perret President & CEO

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