LOCAL EVENTS
Hays County Food Bank hosts gala
Party for a purpose was the motto of the evening at the Hays County Food Bank Mardi Gras Gala. Guests arrived at Posey Meadows to find live music by Sour Bridges and libations with hors d’oeuvres and dinner provided by Root Cellar Catering Company. Cocktail hour was paired with a silent auction, which transitioned into a dinner service. After a rambunctious game of Heads or Tails, guests enjoyed presentations from the Hays County Food Bank, which included a video preview of their new food bank facility as well as speeches from The American Red Cross and Hays Food Bank Executive Director Lisa Young. Benefactors participated in a Paddles Up donation presentation, which raised additional funds for the Food Bank. The night ended with a Banana Fosters Station where chefs prepared flame flashed butter bourbon bananas in front of guests to pair with ice cream and their generosity.
Above, guests dance to the swinging sounds of Sour Bridges at the Hays County Food Bank Mardi Gras Gala. The Gala celebrated the progress made in the community in 2024 as well as raised funds for the new year’s endeavors, which include moving into their new facility that will allow for more food donations as well as a Client Choice Market. Below, Stephanie Cerdo from the American Red Cross announces a donation of an industrial freezer for the new Hays County Food Bank facility. Photos provided by Robby Solis
It has been a big year for the Hays County Food Bank. The programs provided by the Hays County Food Bank fed 24,407 individuals in 2024, which included 9,238 children. The Food Bank team served 6,474 new households, aligning with Texas ranking as the most food insecure state in 2024 with 14% of Hays County lacking access to enough food for a healthy life. The team gave out 71,221 boxes of food as well as 19,446 pounds of food waste donated to local farms and gardens. The Food Bank led 80 nutrition classes for children and seniors this past year. The remainder of the year is sure to see even more families helped as the Hays County Food Bank moves into their new building at 612 South Interstate 35 (previously the Hays County BBQ Restaurant). This new facility triples the size of the current Food Bank headquarters and will allow for more food storage and distribution to take place as well as provide clients with the opportunity to choose food from a free market at the facility.
“We are thrilled with the success of our Mardi Gras Gala and grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the Hays County Food Bank’s remarkable year,” said Kelley Carter, Development and Communications Manager for the Food Bank. “A special thank you to our Rex Sponsor and biggest supporter of this year’s gala — the Anderson Charitable Foundation. Their Executive Director, Brad Robb, announced a generous $25,000 matching grant, furthering their commitment to transformative change and measurable outcomes.”
There were many generous sponsors including CL Concrete, Corridor PD, HEB, Broadway Bank, Schertz Bank, San Marcos Lions, Bone DRs Orthopedic, Mano Amiga, NightHawk, Martinez Prather, Dutch Bros, city of Kyle and San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson.
“The Carl and Marie Anderson Charitable Foundation is proud to support the Hays County Food Bank because everyone deserves access to nutritious food. Their commitment to fighting hunger with dignity and compassion aligns with our mission to support organizations that make a meaningful impact in the community,” said Cate Sitton, Senior Grants Manager for the Anderson Foundation. Access to nutritious food is a mission the Hays County Food Bank plans to expand on in their new location. They will continue regularly scheduled food distributions, but the new facilities will be able to host those in need who might not be available during the weekly distributions.
“Thanks to these incredible partnerships and the generosity of our sponsors and donors, we are making tremendous progress toward fully funding a life-changing Client Choice Market. This new market will allow our clients to “shop” for groceries, selecting the food that best suits their household’s needs,” Carter said. This market will be a vital addition to helping combat hunger in the county as well as addressing food waste since clients will be able to select food based on their dietary restrictions and preference. At the event Stephanie Cerdo spoke on behalf of The American Red Cross, which is providing an industrial freezer for the new building through their Community Adaptation Program.
“We are deeply grateful to our community for helping us take these important steps toward empowering our clients to feed themselves with dignity and choice,” Carter said.
For more information on how one can support the Hays County Food Bank either with a monetary donation or with volunteer service, visit haysfoodbank.org. For information on distribution sites or resources provided by The Hays County Food Bank, visit their website at haysfoodbank.org/gethelp.
Photos provided by Robby Solis
