From Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, this month’s Get Involved spotlight non-profit:
Mission:
To nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger.
Vision: The Capital Area Food Bank believes that all Central Texans should have access to the nutritious food necessary to achieve their full potential. Our programs and community partnerships with businesses, agencies and other nonprofits make it possible to improve the nutrition of the nearly 46,000 Central Texans we serve each week who are at risk of hunger.
To achieve this, we work with food donors, financial supporters and volunteers to fill unmet needs in the region. This commitment from private, government and charitable partners allowed the Food Bank to put 26 million meals into the hands of families and local nonprofits last year.
Founded in 1981, the Capital Area Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Food Bank couldn’t do what they do without volunteers. In fact, last year over 17,000 volunteers donated more than 88,000 hours to the fight against hunger in Central Texas. Volunteers ensure only the safest food leaves the Food Bank warehouse, keep mobile food pantry lines running smoothly and assist at community events throughout the year. The Food bank needs volunteers year-round and a number of are available:
- Warehouse volunteer: Bond with old friends and make new ones while helping ensure only the safest, highest quality food goes out to the folks who count on the Food Bank every day. Opportunities are available for individuals and groups on weekdays and Saturdays, as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
- Mobile food pantry volunteer: For our neighbors getting help from the Food Bank’s mobile food pantries, a welcoming face and a kind word can make a world of difference.
- Administrative volunteer: The Food Bank needs volunteers year round to help with clerical tasks like stuffing envelopes and data entry. Administrative volunteers play a vital role in keeping costs low so more of the Food Bank’s funds can go to help Central Texans in need.
- Nutrition education volunteer: As a volunteer with the CHOICES nutrition program, you’ll assist the Food Bank’s dieticians and nutrition educators with cooking demonstrations and other activities in the classroom. Classes explore how diet and nutrition impact overall health, provide cooking and food safety skills, support healthy and thrifty meal planning and much more.
To find your Food Bank volunteer opportunity, go to www.austinfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer.
