Capital Area Food Bank of Texas | Feedback | Summer 2010

CA P I TA L A R E A FO O D BA N K O F T E X A S

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Boys & girls Club Kids Cafe Photo: Susan gaetz

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Helping Families Meet Summer Challenges p2Community Events p4Fill the Barrel, Feed the Need p5How You Help p6Real Stories p7Message from the President & CEO p8

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Helping families meet summer challenges

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.

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

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.

Thank you for helping children like Kaylee, who knows when she visits Kids Cafe, “I can eat.”

CAFB takes part in national Summer FamilyNutrition 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,

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,

and at CAFB Partner Agencies.

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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.

“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

to a food pantry. Although her husband is actively

searching for full-time jobs, his current work is

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

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

relieved to see that there are many families like

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

and can’t find enough work.”

You Can Help: Take the Happy, Healthy Summer PledgeThroughout 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

She moved to Austin from Miami five years ago,

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

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

of discrimination against people like me,” she says.

“Here in Austin, people are much more relaxed;

there is less discrimination because there are

people from every country here. I like Austin much

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

Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org

Events in our community

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

18th annual National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger”

Raised 180,000 pounds of food

STOMP helps “Stamp Out Hunger”

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

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

Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Hunger” Raised $1,000Photos: Capital Area Food Bank

For more on our events,

follow us on Twitter: @events4good

10th annual KEYE-Tv Food DriveMonday, 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 FestivalSunday, 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.

Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org

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join us for these upcoming events:

Give to GameRaised $1,675

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

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

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 Austin-area 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.

Fill The Barrel, Feed The Need

How you help

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As a corporate trainer and frequent public speaker, Kristi

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

community as a Volunteer Ambassador. She is passionate

about volunteering with the Food Bank, and she loves sharing

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

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

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

As an Ambassador, Kristi says, volunteering has an even

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

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

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.”

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

the Hunger Awareness Blog Project, an awareness-raising

experiment. They agreed to cook for one week using the

products a food pantry client would receive, and write about

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.

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

Austin Chronicle Hot

Sauce Festival, and

represents the Food Bank

in the community as a

CAFB Ambassador.

If you’d like to know more about becoming a volunteer Ambassador,

e-mail Amelia Long at [email protected]

I Learn More Because of the Good Food I Eat EverydayBy Alese Colehour, StoryBank VISTA

“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

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

newest program - the Summer Nutrition Program.

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,

watching his brother inspecting an insect on the picnic table

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

grade, do you do chemistry?” he wonders.

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

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

looking forward to a summer vacation in Washington, D.C.,

where they will visit their grandparents. “We’re going to visit

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

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

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

“we like to hang around with our mom.”

Although they are clearly best friends with each other, Jacob

admits, “We make a lot of friends here.” Their favorite part of

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.”

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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

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 grand-

daughter, Marissa, has her own little plot. She loves to cook,

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

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

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

taking pictures and showing them what she grew.

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

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

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“ 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.”

Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.orgReal stories

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

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

can do for your body.

I started coming to the Fresh Foods for Families distribution

for vegetables. They give you sackfuls of produce. It’s

unbelievable how the Capital Area Food Bank helps out.

There are vegetables on the kitchen table all the time,

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

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

they give me does help,” he says. “The pantries I’ve been

going to are pretty good, and I thank god for that.”

messagefrom the President & CEOBy 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.

DAVID DAVENPORT

President & CEO

CAFB Officers & Board of DirectorsMatt 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?

[email protected]

Read it online!Download & subscribe to CAFB publications at

austinfoodbank.org

Subscribe to our blogaustinfoodbank.wordpress.com

Subscribe to our podcastaustinfoodbank.org/stories

Go mobile with our iPhone appiPheedANeed.com

Connect with us on:

A member of

OUR MISSION: TO NOURISH HUNgRY PEOPLE AND LEAD THE COMMUNITY IN ENDINg HUNgER.

The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas

8201 S. Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78745 | (512) 282-2111

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@events4good