Food insecurity numbers are on the rise but the Hays County Food Bank is ready to provide life-changing access to food and resources for those in need with the relocation and expansion of their facilities.
Located at 1612 S. I-35, on the south frontage road, the new food bank is nearly triple the size of the last location, allowing for more food storage and the ability to serve a greater capacity. The new facility offers a market-style donation model, where guests can reserve a time to shop the shelves for free, allowing more freedom to choose which items best suit their needs and family size.
“450 San Marcos residents usually come to pick up food from us. In addition, this past month another 500 who’ve never been to the food bank signed up. So the numbers are only going up,” Executive Director Lisa Young said during a speech at the grand opening event.
“The [food bank] staff has worked around the clock, our council members have worked on this, the school board has worked on this, the city managers have worked on this. We built this dream together and it will always be that way. This is your food bank, this is the food bank San Marcos needs and it is my pride and joy to be able to deliver it to you,” Young said.
The food bank hosted a grand opening event on Aug. 27 to commemorate the new location that has already been serving the Hays community. City officials, volunteers, local businesses and the public were in attendance. The food bank was packed with community members and donors such as the Anderson Charitable Foundation, which is a charitable partner of the food bank.
“I’ve worked very closely with Lisa and her team. I think they are world-class and what they’ve put together here at the food bank in their new building is the golden standard. For a food bank to have a client- choice model, it’s dignifying,” Grant Manager Ian Anderson said.
Lisa Young reflected on the community support that made this new food bank possible.
“H-E-B donated all this shelving [in the warehouse] and the shelving in the grocery store, the Red Cross donated our big freezer and then our private donors donated money. We have an army of volunteers,” Young said.
“Having this many people turn out today to support it, first off that is thrilling for me and my staff, but it really is a reflection on the way it’s been to get it open in the first place” The food bank team’s mission does not end with the new facility. They took a mortgage out on the new facility and continue to raise funds for operating costs and to expand food donations.
“We have had a dip in federal money that we were counting on that’s not materializing so we really are depending upon the community, even more so than we ever have,” Young said.
“But the need is also there for our clients. Costs are up everywhere. Housing costs are very high. Medication costs are very high. Most people in Central Texas, over 60% of people in this 21 county area, are within $400 of having to use the food bank for the first time, so that’s where we’re here to stay in the gap.”
For more information on the food bank from services to how to donate visit their website at haysfoodbank.org.
