Capital Area Food Bank of Texas | Feedback | Summer 2010

C A P I TA L A R E A F O O D B A N K O F T E X A S

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J u ly – S ept 2 0 1 0 Helping Families Meet Summer Challenges p2 Community Events p4 Fill the Barrel, Feed the Need p5 How You Help p6 Real Stories p7 Message from the President & CEO p8

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Boys & Girls Club Kids Cafe

Photo: Susan Gaetz

Helping families meet summer challenges CAFB takes part in national Summer Family Nutrition Program Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Capital Area Food Bank has been granted access this summer to $10.6 million in federal funding to address child hunger and child obesity and to help fill the food gap for families with children who typically eat meals at school.

Through the federal Summer Family Nutrition Program, Photo: Alese Colehour

CAFB and its Partner Agencies are providing eligible families in its 21-county service area with two 25-pound Family Food Boxes each month from June through September. The Family Food Boxes contain a nutritionally balanced range of such pantry staples as cereal, beans, rice, and canned vegetables, and will also hold nutrition education materials and resources for additional assistance.

Eligible families are households with legal guardianship of at least one child under 18 years of age and with an annual household income equal to or less than 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline, families whose children receive free- or reduced-priced lunch, and families who receive WIC, SNAP (food stamps), or other federal food assistance programs.

CAFB estimates some 114,000 Central Texas families are eligible for the program. Families will be pre-screened to determine eligibility; forms are available at CAFB Partner Agencies, on-site at CAFB, and online at http://austinfoodbank.org/get-help. Distributions are being made through September 30, during regularly scheduled food distributions at the East Austin Service Center, the CAFB Wheels of Sharing Mobile Food Pantry,

Kaylee’s Story “When I go home, we don’t have that much food,” says 9-year-old Kaylee, who is waiting to eat at the Kids Cafe at Dove Springs Recreation Center. “I’ve been coming here for four years. It’s good. When I come here, I can eat. At home there’s not much food — none.”

She says she will miss coming to Kids Cafe this summer when she goes to California to stay with her cousins, but she is looking forward to going swimming with them and playing softball. She also can’t wait to meet her new baby cousin, a girl.

Thank you for helping children like Kaylee, who knows when she visits Kids Cafe,

“I can eat.”

and at CAFB Partner Agencies.

Kaylee has gone through a different kind of family change recently. “I was sad when my grandma died this year,” Kaylee says. Her mom doesn’t cook much, she says, and

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she used to eat at her grandma’s house frequently.

Kaylee enjoys learning to read and doing math because “if I get a job someday, it will help me.” Her favorite book is Bunicula. Someday, she hopes to open a veterinary clinic with her older sister.

Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org

Doris’ Story “It is more difficult to find enough food in the summertime, because the children are always in the house,” says Doris Gómez, bouncing her 2-year-old son José on her knee. “When they are in school, I don’t have to cook for them as much.” Doris has two daughters, Nicole and Brenna, who eat breakfast and lunch at school, and says she will probably depend on special programs to find sufficient food to feed her family this summer.

Photo: Alese Colehour

“It is important to have [programs and pantries like this],” she says, referencing the food pantry in Pflugerville where she is waiting. “Sometimes there isn’t anything in our house to eat. And this place really helps. It is a great alternative for feeding ourselves and our children.”

This is the first time Doris has brought her family

She moved to Austin from Miami five years ago,

to a food pantry. Although her husband is actively

and while most of her family is still in Miami, says

searching for full-time jobs, his current work is

she strongly prefers Austin. “In Miami, there is a lot

only for two or three hours a day. “When I came

of discrimination against people like me,” she says.

here to collect the food today,” she says, “I was

“Here in Austin, people are much more relaxed;

relieved to see that there are many families like

there is less discrimination because there are

mine who don’t have anything to eat in the house

people from every country here. I like Austin much

and can’t find enough work.”

better; people are friendly and it is very beautiful.”

You Can Help: Take the Happy, Healthy Summer Pledge Throughout our 21-county service territory, Central Texas children will be more at risk of hunger this summer than at any other time of year.

Give throughout the season to help make this a “Happy, Healthy Summer.” Your gift will help

us meet the increased demand for food and will provide meals to children in need through several year-round Kids Cafe sites, more than 20 Summer Food Service Program sites, as well as other trusted CAFB programs.

PLEDGE your support. Donate now and again throughout the summer as the season goes on, to help us meet the

increased need during these months. PARTNER with us to stay informed. Make sure you check the box on the enclosed envelope to receive special reminders and updates about our efforts. PASS IT ON by asking others to take the pledge. To pass it on, send special summer e-cards, or add a Twibbon to your social media, visit www.austinfoodbank.org/pledge

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Events in our community

18th annual National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” Raised 180,000 pounds of food

STOMP helps “Stamp Out Hunger”

17th annual Austin Reggae Festival Raised more than $202,000 and 3,000 pounds of food

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“For the City” Good Friday Celebration Raised more than $20,000

For more on our events, follow us on Twitter: @events4good

Photos: Capital Area Food Bank

Doss Elementary School Food & Fund Drive Raised 4,744 pounds of food

Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Hunger” Raised $1,000

Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org

Fill The Barrel, Feed The Need

7th annual Rock N Restock Concert Presented by Goldwasser Real Estate Raised more than $7,000

Since this time last year, the need for emergency food assistance in Central Texas has grown 60 percent. In an effort to raise awareness about hunger in our community and to collect much-needed food, the Capital Area Food Bank has partnered with H-E-B, Central Market and Randalls to launch the new year-round in-store barrel program, “Fill the Barrel, Feed the Need.”

Barrels are in place at 13 Randalls stores and 20 H-E-B stores, and the program eventually will expand to other Austinarea grocery stores. Donations from the program will go to the Capital Area Food Bank and its Partner Agencies.

Thank you, sponsors: H-E-B, Central Market and Randalls.

Give to Game Raised $1,675

for these upcoming events: 10th annual keye-tv Food Drive Monday, July 19 – Saturday, July 31

Our local CBS affiliate and the Capitol Area Boy Scouts of America join for one of the largest food drives in Central Texas. Participate on Saturday, July 31 by placing healthy, non-perishable food on your doorstep for Boy Scouts to pick up. Or donate at any Austin-area Randalls by purchasing pre-packaged bags of food at the entrance of the store, or by adding $1 or $5 to your grocery bill when you check out.

Thank you, sponsors: Capitol Area Boy Scouts, KEYE-TV and Randalls.

20th annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival Sunday, August 29 11 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. Waterloo Park (15th St. And Red River)

Awesome local music and a heated hot sauce competition make this a can’t-miss event every year. Monetary and healthy, non-perishable food donations are accepted at the entrance.

There’s also a raffle for a chance to win great prize packages valued up to $800 each. Visit www.austinfoodbank.org/ hotsauce for more details.

Thank you, sponsors: Brown Distributing, Silicon Laboratories and Time Warner Cable.

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit austinfoodbank.org/events.

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join us

How you help CAFB Volunteer Ambassador Program — Spotlight on Kristi Willis

By Amelia Long, Volunteer Resources VISTA

Kristi Willis is an Austin professional and food blogger who has been volunteering at the Food Bank since the fall of 2006.

She started in Product Recovery, where she eventually became a Volunteer Leader. Kristi also volunteers regularly at events like the Austin Reggae Festival and the Sauce Festival, and

I Learn More Because of the Good Food I Eat Everyday

By Alese Colehour, StoryBank VISTA

represents the Food Bank in the community as a CAFB Ambassador.

Photo: Alese Colehour

Austin Chronicle Hot

“I know from my mom that food is expensive, and it would cost her a lot of money to feed me and my brother every day,” said

As a corporate trainer and frequent public speaker, Kristi

10-year-old Joseph during his speech at the kick-off of our

feels it’s a natural choice to represent the Food Bank in the

newest program - the Summer Nutrition Program.

community as a Volunteer Ambassador. She is passionate

Joseph has an identical twin, Jacob – it’s hard to tell them apart, and even harder to get them to sit still for ten minutes.

“I want to be an inventor,” says Joseph, during an interview after the kick-off press event at Boys & Girls Club South,

time I give an hour, it’s making so many more things possible.”

beside him. “My favorite part of school is science. In fifth

bigger impact. “We’re able to multiply what the [CAFB] staff

grade, do you do chemistry?” he wonders.

could do,” she explains. “There are so many people in the

looking forward to a summer vacation in Washington, D.C., where they will visit their grandparents. “We’re going to visit

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when I go help out at the Food Bank,” she says. “I know every

As an Ambassador, Kristi says, volunteering has an even

had chicken salad wrapped in bread and cheese.” They are

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that passion. “I feel like I’m spending my time in a valuable way

watching his brother inspecting an insect on the picnic table

“The food here is amazing,” says Jacob. “At lunch today we

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about volunteering with the Food Bank, and she loves sharing

community who are interested in what the Food Bank is doing. [Ambassadors] go out and answer those basic questions and get people excited and involved in helping end hunger.

It’s a great way to meet people where they are.”

the Smithsonian and the spy museum. At the end you become

Most recently, Kristi led a group of Austin food bloggers in

a spy!” Their dad is a local musician and their mom works for

the Hunger Awareness Blog Project, an awareness-raising

the biology department at UT. On the weekends, says Joseph,

experiment. They agreed to cook for one week using the

“we like to hang around with our mom.”

products a food pantry client would receive, and write about

Although they are clearly best friends with each other, Jacob admits, “We make a lot of friends here.” Their favorite part of

their experiences. Check out Kristi’s blog, Austin Farm to Table, and other blogs involved in the project, at http://austinfoodbank.wordpress.com/austin-food-bloggers.

the playground? “The swings!” they say simultaneously.

“I’d like to thank everybody who helps kids like me and my brother and all the other kids at the Boys and Girls Club,” said Joseph, in his closing remarks. “I think I have more fun and I learn more because of the good food I eat every day.”

If you’d like to know more about becoming a Volunteer Ambassador, e-mail Amelia Long at amelialong@austinfoodbank.org

Real stories

Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org

Gloria Lopez: Sharing a Bounty of Vegetables I’ve been coming to Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center for five years. I started as a volunteer. Then things got worse for my husband. He lost his job; they rehired him, but at lower pay. Eventually, I started coming to a nutrition class here that was hosted by the Food Bank, and I decided Photo: Alese Colehour

to start my own garden. I thought, if I have an abundance of produce I can bring it here. That way I’m contributing— they’re helping me and I’m helping them.

When I started gardening, my neighbors were excited to see if anything grew. I told them they would be the first ones to try my first crop. I’m grateful that it is growing. My granddaughter, Marissa, has her own little plot. She loves to cook,

respect my body, and I changed what I was eating. Nutrition

she loves vegetables, and I think she’s loved them even more

and knowing what you’re eating are the best things you

since she started her own garden. It’s the fruits of her labor.

can do for your body.

She’ll sit there and eat carrots straight out of the soil! She’s inspired some of her friends to start their own gardens by

I started coming to the Fresh Foods for Families distribution for vegetables. They give you sackfuls of produce. It’s

taking pictures and showing them what she grew.

unbelievable how the Capital Area Food Bank helps out.

The nutrition class was really helpful. I didn’t realize all the

There are vegetables on the kitchen table all the time,

stuff we were eating that was full of sugar. It taught me to

and I love to share!

Will Fair: It’s Tough Working with Only One Arm Will is a born-and-raised Austinite. He says he would love to work, but since the amputation of his left arm, he finds it difficult to pursue his previous career in the restaurant business. “I’m willing to work,” Will says. “But my doctor says it’d be best for me not to work.”

After surviving eight months of homelessness, Will finally they give me does help,” he says. “The pantries I’ve been going to are pretty good, and I thank God for that.”

“ God blessed me to be able to make it out here to get the food that is provided.

Y’all been real helpful for me.”

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Photo: Alese Colehour

has his own place to stay. “I receive food stamps. The little

Our mission: to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger.

CAFB Officers & Board of Directors Matt Dow, Vice Chairperson, Jackson Walker, L.L.P. Jayna Burgdorf, Secretary, Community Volunteer Catherine P. Thompson, Treasurer, Motion Computing Michael J. Tomsu, Immediate Past Chairperson, Vinson & Elkins Melissa Anthony, AnthonyBarnum Public Relations Susan A. Baughman, Clark, Thomas & Winters, P.C. John Cyrier, Sabre Commercial, Inc. Mark Downing, Silicon Laboratories Vanessa Downey-Little, City of Austin, Retired Rick Gesing, Applied Materials Deborah Kerr Ph.D., Consultant Leslie Lockett, H-E-B Melissa Mitchell, Ernst & Young David Montoya, University of Texas School of Law Hank Perret, Consultant Sue Snyder, Jackson Walker, L.L.P.

Feedback?

Questions, comments, or suggestions?

Change of address? Receiving duplicate copies? communications@austinfoodbank.org

Read it online!

Download & subscribe to CAFB publications at austinfoodbank.org

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message from the President & CEO

By Making It Harder on Hungry People, Texas Loses Out We face a budget shortfall of tremendous proportions. I have a suggestion for lawmakers: Eliminate the finger imaging of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) applicants.

Proponents contend it prevents SNAP fraud. An independent UT study couldn’t prove finger imaging prevented duplicate benefits – in fact, it appeared the requirement caused people to leave the program temporarily. Rather than deterring fraud, finger imaging deters families from seeking help. Making them jump through unnecessary hoops to receive SNAP benefits is wrong.

Texas spent $1.5 million last year on finger imaging to reveal just four cases of fraud. Only one case was prosecuted – and no benefits recovered. Texas is on track to spend even more this year - $1.7 million – on an illogical program. Legislators talking about slashing budgets should put this program on the chopping block.

The elimination of finger imaging would benefit Texas economically.

Every $5 of new SNAP benefits generates up to $9.20 in economic benefits for our communities. When people who qualify for SNAP don’t apply, the Texas Food Bank Network (TFBN) estimates we lose out on nearly $6.7 billion a year. This should be a $6.7 billion dollar wake-up call, for retailers affected by the recession, for our legislators, and for the rest of us.

TFBN estimates a loss of more than $3.6 billion in federal dollars to help hungry people. Instead of helping families access SNAP benefits allocated for their use, finger imaging creates a barrier. Families suffering from hunger are hurting. Finger imaging is one more hardship. It does nothing to uphold their dignity and put food on their tables.

The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas supports real solutions to help hungry families. The State of Texas should hire more staff to process applications on time, streamline SNAP enrollment, and eliminate inefficient practices. We shouldn’t support policies and practices that don’t work.

As a Texan, I’m proud of so much about this state. But leading the nation in the number of children who don’t know where their next meal will come from and having the country’s worst government response to the critical issue of hunger don’t make my list.

iPheedANeed.com

Connect with us on: DAVID DAVENPORT @events4good

President & CEO

A member of

The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas 8201 S. Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78745

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(512) 282-2111