Central Texas Food Bank To Distribute Meals For Needy Families

AUSTIN, TX — The Central Texas Food Bank has scheduled its next food distribution event on Thursday for those facing shortages amid corrosive economic effects of the coronaivurus, officials said.

The next food drive is set at the Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., according to an advisory. The food bank has staged several food distribution events designed to assist families facing meals shortages given the corrosive economic effects of coronavirus.

Officials also have scheduled several food distribution events in August:

• Saturday, Aug. 8, at Nelson Field, 7105 Berkman Dr., from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 13, Smile Direct facility across from Home Depot, 300 Vista Ridge Dr., Kyle, Texas, from 8 to 11 a.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 20, Nelson Field, 7105 Berkman Dr., from 8 to 11 a.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 22, at Del Valle High School, 5201 Ross Rd., in Del Valle, Texas, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 27, Toney Burger Stadium, 3200 Jones Rd., from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Central Texas Food Bank officiasl ask that participants enter at the north side of the facility, from the eastbound Hwy 290 frontage road.
• Saturday, Aug. 29, Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Depending on food availability, attendees will receive:

§ One box of assorted produce.
§ 1-2 gallons of milk.
§ One protein box weighing between 8 – 20 pounds containing chicken or pork products.
§ And/or an emergency box of shelf-stable items, as available.

Before coming to this drive-through event, attendees are asked to create enough space in the trunk or hatch of their vehicles. Officials also ask that only those genuinely experiencing food shortages to avail themselves of the food given the nonprofit's own finite resources.

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Food bank officials noted they are in need of volunteers to assist with these events. Anyone interested in volunteering to support these special distributions should visit the Food Bank’s website, centraltexasfoodbank.org, and click on “Volunteer” to sign up.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Texas Food Bank is continuing to meet the needs of those facing hunger," officials said in a prepared statement. "In addition to these special distributions, Central Texans can also access food through our network of partner pantries and mobile food pantry distributions throughout Central Texas."

Previous coverage:

• Coronavirus: Central Texas Food Bank Serves 1,515 Households
• Central Texas Food Bank Gets Big Donation

For the latest information on getting help, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org and click on “Find Food Now." Once you find the distribution site nearest you, call the food bank confirm the hours of operation since things are changing rapidly, officials said. Residents in need also can call 2-1-1 for the latest information.

Those wishing to donate money to aid the mission of the Central Texas Food Bank are urged to do so: "The Food Bank stands ready to help all Central Texans affected by the pandemic, but we’ve seen demand for our services skyrocket recently, severely straining our resources," officials said. "So if you’re able to help, we need monetary donations. Please donate at centraltexasfoodbank.org."