Christmas Resource Guide Offers Hope And Help For The Holidays

PFLUGERVILLE, TX —The winter break offers an opportunity for children and their families to enjoy time with one another and take part in festivities and activities that mark the season. Aside from gifts, there are families who may not enjoy a merry and bright Christmas this year due to a lack of food. It is estimated 1 in 5 families with children are not getting enough food, and the holiday break poses an especially stressful time, as free or reduced school lunches offer the main source of basic nutrition for many children. Families struggle when schools close for the holidays, leaving many to look for resources to help keep their children fed.

The Circle of Hope Community Center offers a Christmas 2019 Resources guide for families interested in learning about community endeavors that provide assistance through the holidays. Included are also a list of food pantries available in Pflugerville and neighboring communities. For more information on specific programs, click on the individual links below.

Go to www.unitedwayaustin.org to find out about Christmas resources in your area. Families can only apply for assistance from one resource:

TRAVIS COUNTY BROWN SANTA - www.tcsheriff.org/brown-santa - Apply at the nearest Travis County office where you live--512-247-2682. Assists families living outside the geographical city limits of any town or city in Travis County.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY BROWN SANTA - www.wilco.org/brownsanta - Assists families living outside the geographical city limits of any town or city in Williamson County. Apply online - deadline is Nov. 18th.

AUSTIN BLUE SANTA - go to www.bluesanta.org to apply online or find a location.

PFLUGERVILLE- www.pflugervilletx.gov/bluesanta - lnformation - 512-990-6838 - Apply in person at Pflugerville Police Department/Pflugerville Justice Center (on Pfennig Lane across from Walmart) - applications accepted in November.

ROUND ROCK- www.roundrocktexas.gov/bluesanta Information: 512-844-8273 - Application dates/locations: November 7th- 6-8 pm at Stony Point High School; November 14th- 6-8 pm at Round Rock High School; November 18th - 22nd, 25th, 26th, Dec. 2nd-5th, 9th-13th 9am-4 pm at Round Rock Police Dept.

TAYLOR- www.ci.taylor.tx.us/725/Red-Santa-Program Information: 512-352-6992.

HUTTO - Information: 512-759-4700 - speak to Orange Santa contact. Application deadline is Nov. 15th. Apply online at www.hipponation.org

CEDAR PARK- www.cedarparktexas.gov/departments/police-department/blue-santa-program- lnformation-512-260-4646 or 512-260-4864 - Registration Dates: Nov. 9/Sat. 9am-1pm; Nov. 13/Wed. 5-8:30pm; Nov 19/Tues. 5-8:30pm; Nov. 25/ Mon. 5-8:30pm; Dec. 2/Mon. 5-8:30pm -apply on line or call.

LEANDER - www.leandertx.gov/police/page/blue-santa-program - Partners with Hill Country Christmas Bureau - Registration Dates: Nov. 17/Sun. 2-4pm; Nov. 19/Tue. 6:30-8pm; Dec. 2/Mon. 6:30-8pm; Dec. 4/Wed. 6:30-8pm; Dec. 6/Fri. 6:30-8pm -apply in person at Old A C Delco Building, 603 S. Hwy 183, Leander TX 78641.

ELGIN - Blue Santa Program - Apply in person at Elgin Police Department by Friday, December 6th at 5 pm. Information: 512-285-5757.

FOOD PANTRIES in Pflugerville and Surrounding Areas:

Pflugerville, Texas Food Pantries

Austin, TX Food Pantries

Round Rock, TX Food Pantries

Cedar Park, TX Food Pantries